WA agricultural industry inquiry report released

WA Agricultural Industry Inquiry Report Released

An independent inquiry into Western Australia's agricultural industry has recommended that the industry should establish a special team to carry out inspections, attend agriculture events and advise on safety management practices across the sector.

WorkSafe Commissioner Darren Kavanagh established the inquiry in June 2022 after 12 workers died on the job in twelve months. Former Chief Industrial Relations Commissioner Pamela Scott conducted the inquiry and delivered eight recommendations addressing risk management gaps within WA agriculture.

What the Commissioner Said

Commissioner Kavanagh confirmed that WorkSafe WA supports most of the recommendations put forward in the comprehensive report.

"I support the recommendations of the Inquiry and am giving them consideration, and I intend to consult the State Government on the recommendations that require government action," Mr Kavanagh said.

Why This Report Matters for Agriculture Safety Management

Farming remains one of Australia's highest-risk industries, and effective safety management underpins every recommendation in this report. A dedicated inspection team could strengthen hazard identification, improve compliance monitoring, and support better risk management outcomes for agricultural workers and surrounding communities.

Businesses operating in this sector should review their current safety management systems now, rather than waiting on government action. Strong management practices, backed by documented procedures, help protect workers while reducing exposure to regulatory penalties.

For operations seeking to strengthen internal safety management frameworks, SafetyDocs offers industry-specific safety packages designed to support compliance across high-risk sectors, along with industry suites covering broader operational management needs.

Related Safety Reports

This inquiry follows a pattern of government-led safety reviews across Australian industries. Readers may also find our coverage of the NSW Mine Safety Report and the fatal opal mine incident report relevant, as both examine how regulatory bodies respond to fatality data through structured recommendations and improved management oversight.

Organisations managing workplace hazard reporting may also benefit from tools such as our Hazard Report Form, which supports consistent documentation practices as part of a broader safety management approach.

Read the full report on the inquiry here.