Farm safety

Tractor safety

Tractors cause more deaths than any other industrial machinery in Australia - you can help to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities. Some good tips:

• Never allow anyone to ride on a tractor unless they occupy a seat designed to carry a passenger.
• Read all operating instructions.
• Do not start the tractor while standing on the ground.
• Do not operate the tractor while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Child safety on farms

Children visiting a regional property, especially from the city, are at risk of being injured because they're not familiar with rural surroundings.

You can promote safe work by preventing children from straying into potentially dangerous areas and situations - we have created a guide to assist you in this task.

Children are at risk for a number of reasons:

• Small children are often able to crawl into confined spaces and squeeze through small openings.
• Small body weight can affect a child's ability to control an animal, motor bike and machinery.
• Children often have a poorly developed sense of danger, which means they are likely to take more risks.
• They often have an increased independence, mobility and curiosity.
• Peer pressure, especially from older children, may mean they are more likely to take on a dare.
• Children often have a narrow sense of vision (tunnel vision).

Chemicals

Modern farming requires the use of dangerous chemicals - you need to manage these substances correctly to prevent injury and illness. All chemicals should be stored in a building or enclosure specifically designed for that purpose.

Disposing of unwanted chemicals should be managed to prevent contamination of watercourses and crops. Disposal of unwanted chemicals should be carried-out at a licensed disposal site. When spraying agricultural chemicals you must take every reasonable precaution to avoid damage the environment.

For more information on your responsibilities, or if you would like to offer a suggestion on how injury can be prevented contact us.