Issue Date: -
Thursday, 1 February 2007
Inspection program for broadacre farms underway
WorkSafe has launched an inspection campaign to visit broadacre farms in regional areas that have reported injuries in recent years.
The project will involve inspectors visiting a sample group of broadacre properties to identify any common safety risks and provide information to farmers on how to comply with occupational safety and health requirements.
Agriculture industry stakeholders including the Pastoralists and Graziers Association, WA Farmers Federation and Australian Workers Union have been consulted on the project.
WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said today that injury rates in the agriculture sector remained high, and this inspection campaign was part of addressing these high injury rates.
“We have identified the broadacre farms in WA that have reported an injury over recent years that has resulted in a worker needing 10 or more days off work, so we are dealing with the more serious injuries,” Ms Lyhne said.
“Inspectors will initially visit a sample group of these properties and report back to stakeholders, then visit a further sample group and report to stakeholders again.
“WorkSafe inspectors will follow the 15 Minute Farm Safety Checklist when conducting inspections, and farmers can get a copy of the checklist from the various industry associations or on the WorkSafe website.
“We recently conducted a very successful inspection campaign in the shearing industry, and we are confident that – with the support we have received from the agriculture industry - this project will be equally successful.”
The 15 Minute Farm Safety Checklist covers areas such as tractors and other farm equipment, silos and field bins, chemicals and general farm safety.
“Because of the high injury rate among the farming community, it is important to make sure farmers are aware of what safety measures and work practices should be in place to guard against further injuries and illness,” Ms Lyhne said,
“Whether farmers become part of this program or not, I encourage them to use the 15 Minute Farm Safety Checklist to ensure their workplaces are as safe as possible.
“Farmers could either work through the checklist or submit an application for the ThinkSafe Small Business Assistance Program.
“The ThinkSafe Small Business Assistance Program offers a free three-hour visit from an independent professional occupational safety and health consultant who will then prepare a simple action plan that will help improve safety in the workplace.”
Further information on farm safety, copies of the 15 Minute Farm Safety Checklist and application forms for the ThinkSafe Small Business Assistance Program can be obtained by telephoning WorkSafe on 9327 8777 or on the website at www.worksafe.wa.gov.au.
Media contact: Caroline De Vaney 9327 8744 or 0408 927563 (media enquiries only)