What’s Happening In Safety: July 2013

This month we look at some of the most common incidents and risk areas for those who work the land as well as outline a few simple measures which can be taken on board to move in safe direction. Farming is one of the most dangerous, yet overlooked industries within Australia when it comes to taking the necessary steps to protecting the staff, visitors and family members.

Farm safety: What you need to know working the land.

This month we look at some of the most common incidents and risk areas for those who work the land as well as outline a few simple measures which can be taken on board to move in safe direction.

Farming is one of the most dangerous, yet overlooked industries within Australia when it comes to taking the necessary steps to protecting the staff, visitors and family members.

Speaking of incidents the figures are not small and they certainly are serious, currently there are approximately 50 deaths annually on Australian farms (12 per annum in Victoria) as well as approximately 47 reportable work related injuries (Hospitalisation) per day. The major causes for these troubling statistics have been shown to be vehicle incidents, being hit by moving objects and body stress injuries (sprains, breaks).

Many injuries and fatalities we see in farming, can be prevented by undertaking safety activities such as the three simple rules listed below:

Know your machinery:

• ATV’s are by far the largest killer on farms in Australia, due to crush injuries sustained by drivers rolling them whilst driving across hills. ROPS (Roll Over Protection Systems) should be insisted upon for all new ATV purchases.
• Regular maintenance of tractors, bikes, utes and other machinery used on the farm is a must. Just because it’s the ‘paddock bomb’ doesn’t mean the brakes don’t matter!
• Risk assessments for machinery purchased for use around the farm, especially if it has been engineered for a specific site use.

Train them up:

• Induct new workers to site when they first come on board, show them the extinguishers, first aid kits and run them through the tasks they are expected to do. This will ensure they have a confident handle of their job requirements. For bonus safety points, make your team a sign off sheet to complete after they finish training.
• Have written SOPs (Standard Operating Procedure) developed and available to teach workers the safe way to undertake high risk activities. Teach your team that it’s OK to ask for a hand.

Have the right gear:

• Buy hi-vis clothing, sunnies, hats, gloves, sunscreen and other protective equipment to make sure the team has everything they need to get the job done as safely as possible.
• Have the policies and documentation to prove that you take safety seriously, read them and refer to them when you come up against problems.

If you need to take the stress out of OH&S, call the team at SafetyZone@YCM on 03 5221 2611