Investment to safeguard agriculture’s most important resource, it’s people, has been applauded today by the National Farmers Federation.
Agriculture Minister, Senator Bridget McKenzie, today announced $1.9 million in funding for Farmsafe Australia, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to making farms safer places to work and live.
NFF CEO Tony Mahar said too many lives continued to be lost and life-changing injuries sustained, through preventable farm incidents.
“Farms are inherently dangerous places to live and work. The operation of machinery, exposure to chemicals and working with animals all carry a large degree of risk.
“When coupled with isolation and often limited access to reliable mobile phone services the consequences can be disastrous.”
In 2017, 41 people were killed on Australian farms.
Mr Mahar said the NFF had a goal for farm fatalities to be zero by 2030.
“To ensure everyone working and living on farms returns home safely each night, it is vital we make farm safety a priority.
“To do this, our industry needs to foster a culture that embraces safety.
“We congratulate the Federal Government and Minister McKenzie for establishing the National Farm Safety Education Fund and for ensuring the work of Farmsafe Australia is enduring.”
Through the National Farm Safety Education Fund, Farmsafe Australia will appoint a dedicated resource to expand the range and reach of its resources to help farmers improve the safety and wellbeing of their families and farm workers.
The agriculture industry is one of seven groups identified as national priority in the Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2012-22.
The majority of on-farm fatalities are related to the operation of farm machinery and vehicles including tractors and quad bikes.
