Federal farm safety focus filters down
Authorities are keeping up the fight against risks in the agriculture industry.
Farming is a uniquely dangerous industry. It features many hazards common to Australian workplaces such as chemicals, noise, dust, sun exposure and working with animals, but in the combination and context of the farm, new risks arise.
This is part of the reason WorkSafe WA has launched its new ‘Agricultural Action Plan’, aimed specifically at staying safe on the farm.
The new plan aims to reduce the number of farm-related injuries and fatalities, with key input from farming organisations and various government departments.
But it is not just a Western Australian campaign.
The Tasmanian Government recently announced that it will spend over $400,000 in the next three years to boost OHS level on farms.
The funds will pay for a full time safety officer to work with farming organisations like the TFGA and PASS to help Tasmanian producers.
And finally, on a federal level, the newly-launched QuadWatch initiative is bringing together quad bike manufacturers, retailers, users, community organisations, and government authorities to raise awareness of the often dangerous devices.