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WAMURAN CO-OP |
FARM INJURIES
Managing the problem
Story by Peter Mack
|
WAMURAN CO-OP |
FARM INJURIES
Managing the problem
Story by Peter Mack
Accidents and injuries on Australian farms are costing farmers between half a billion and $1.2 billion a year, according to research recently presented to the National Farmers’ Federation.
Research, undertaken by the Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety, shows that an average of one death occurs on Australian farms every three to four days. Also, it has been estimated there are between 200 and 600 injuries per 1,000 farms requiring hospital attention each year.
In addition to the pain, suffering and loss of well-being caused by injury and illness, agricultural enterprises are facing an increasing financial burden through loss of production and work delays. Payment for medical treatment, wages for replacement workers, compensation premiums and litigation costs can also severely reduce profitability.
There are a number of training courses available which target health and safety management for primary producers. These courses assist farmers to increase productivity through the development of knowledge and practical skills. They help in the understanding of how to manage the risks of injury and illness associated with life and work on farms.
A "Managing Farm Safety" course, such as that offered by Farmsafe Australia Inc. is designed principally for farm owners and managers. It covers the following issues:
Key risks to health and safety on farms
Implementation of safety ‘Risk Management’
The legal responsibilities of relevant parties
Assessing workers’ safety skills
Safety induction of farm workers
The development of a safety culture on the farm
The maintenance of safety records
The preparation of the farm safety business plan
Farmsafe Australia has developed the appropriate principles and management tools for managing health and safety on farms. This has been achieved through a process which has analysed industry records and includes consideration of the relevant legislative requirements and consultation with industry representatives.
The President of the National Farmer’s Federation, Ian Donges, has said about the ‘Managing Farm Safety’ Course that it can have "commercial benefits, not only in terms of saving farmers from the costs of accidents, but through reduced personal insurance and workers’ compensation premiums."
James Cupples is the Executive Director of Farmsafe Queensland. He states that the cost of the Course has been subsidised by the State Government. This means that participants who register and attend the 16 hour Course will only need to pay around $45.
The fully accredited ‘Managing Farm Safety’ Course is supported by IAMA and the Wamuran Co-op. Further information and an application form is available in a brochure you can obtain from the Co-op.
