Agriculture is a key part of Australia’s economy and rural lifestyle with livestock farming playing a central role. Handling livestock involves various tasks, including feeding, herding, veterinary care, and transportation. Each activity carries potential hazards, such as animal bites, kicks and trampling. The physical nature of these tasks also increases the risk of musculoskeletal injuries.
The agricultural industry often relies on temporary employment during peak periods, making it crucial to have an efficient recruitment strategy in place. By following a few key tips, you can streamline the process and ensure your farm has the workforce it needs for harvest. 1. Start Recruitment Early Start the recruitment process well in advance
Working in Silos: Key Risks and How to Manage Them Silos are essential on many farms, particularly in grain operations. However, they present serious risks that require careful planning and strict safety controls. The most common hazards when working in silos include: Falls from height Accessing or maintaining silos often involves working at height. Without
Harvest season demands efficiency, safety, and effective staff management. This guide provides a starting point in preparing for harvest, outlining key practices to prepare your team and ensure a safe working environment. Managing Seasonal Staff 1. Assess Needs:Determine the number of staff needed, their skills, and whether roles should be full-time, part-time, casual, or contracted.
Psychosocial hazards in the workplace can cause psychological stress, potentially leading to psychological or physical harm and work-related injuries. Farming, unlike a typical 9 to 5 job, involves challenges such as weather systems, pests, disease, and high-pressure periods. To manage these challenges, it’s essential to work with your staff to mitigate the impacts of the
Tractors are indispensable on farms, yet they also pose significant risks. Tragically, many fatalities and injuries stem from incidents involving these machines. The power take-off (PTO), designed to transfer power from the tractor to attachments, can become extremely dangerous when safety protocols are overlooked. Most incidents occur when operators fail to disengage the PTO or
Many parents want to include their children in their farming lifestyle, often giving them tasks on the farm. However, children living on farms are at a greater risk of injury or death than those who don’t. Below we have identified four of the most common hazards to children on farms, and preventative measures to help
The Fair Work Ombudsman continues to conduct inspections across industries, with a strong focus on pay compliance, record-keeping and high-risk employment arrangements such as piecework. Inspectors commonly request access to employment records, payslips and pay structures to assess whether workers are receiving their correct entitlements. For employers, this reinforces the importance of having clear, compliant
Ensuring Child Safety on Farms In the heart of the farming community, safety is paramount, especially when it comes to our most precious assets: our children. The recent Kid Safe Child Injury Prevention Symposium – Growing Up Safely on Farms, shed light on critical aspects of child safety in agricultural settings. Dr. Richard Franklin’s enlightening
Australia is renowned for its vast agricultural landscape and thriving farming communities, but behind the picturesque scenes lies a grim reality – farm fatalities. Despite significant advancements in technology and safety measures, the agricultural sector continues to be one of the most dangerous industries in the country. This article explores the reasons behind deaths on
