Summer brings long days, physical work, and challenging conditions for farm and agribusiness operations. Hot weather significantly increases safety risks, particularly heat stress, fatigue, dehydration, and reduced concentration. Under Australian Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws, farm businesses have a duty to eliminate or minimise risks to health and safety so far as reasonably practicable.
From spraying crops to treating livestock, most farms use hazardous chemicals as part of day-to-day operations. While these substances are often essential, they may come with serious health and safety risks, especially if they’re not handled or managed correctly. One of the biggest concerns with chemicals like pesticides, fungicides, herbicides and insecticides is that the
In January 2023, a worker at a hay processing plant in Western Australia, suffered severe injuries after being pulled into a cutting chamber while attempting to clear a blockage on an unguarded conveyor belt. Despite prior warnings from an external safety consultant in 2022 about the unguarded area, the company failed to act. The company’s
Isolated work is a regular part of farm life however, it comes with serious risks, particularly when there’s no one nearby to help if something goes wrong. Risks of working remotely Working remotely increases the risk of: In some tragic cases, delayed response time has meant the difference between a close call and a fatality.
Seeding is one of the most demanding times of the year in Australian agriculture. With long hours, heavy machinery, fatigue risks, and chemical handling, workplace safety must be a priority to prevent injuries, costly downtime, and compliance breaches. Knowing how to keep workers safe during seeding not only ensures a smooth and safe season, it
Providing effective safety training for farms is a key responsibility for farm owners and operators. Ensuring workers understand risks, safety procedures and their responsibilities helps reduce incidents and supports compliance. WHS training should be practical, relevant to your farm, and regularly reviewed, not treated as a one-off task. What safety training do farm workers need?
As the summer approaches, outdoor workers face challenges in managing the risks from hot weather conditions. Whether tending crops, herding livestock, or performing construction and maintenance tasks, outdoor workers are often exposed to high levels of UV radiation levels. UV radiation is a leading cause of skin and eye damage, including sunburn, premature aging, and
Bushfires are a significant hazard in Australia, particularly in Western Australia, which experiences some of the driest climatic conditions in the country. The hotter months bring heightened risks of fires due to dry conditions and strong winds, with devastating consequences for lives and properties. As a business, it is crucial to prepare for bushfires to
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.
Silos are essential for many farms, particularly in grain-growing regions. However, Silos present unique hazards that require careful planning and strict adherence to safety protocols. The most common risks include: Tips for Silo Safety To prevent accidents and protect workers, it’s crucial to follow safety guidelines and ensure that everyone involved in silo operations is
