Farm Safety Strategy
Coordinated through the Farmsafe WA Alliance, this service offers agricultural enterprises a non-threatening forum to discuss legal requirements for occupational health and safety with an independent, qualified safety consultant.
A fully accredited advisor will conduct risk assessments and prepare safety and health action plans on the host farms.
Nearby properties will be able to participate in the assessment and they will be
provided with the knowledge to then go back and complete a safety audit
on their own properties.
The strategy
aims to increase the number of Western Australian agriculture
enterprises with safety and health action plans in place. The workshops
are completely confidential, with written reports only being provided
to the host farmer.
The strategy has been running since 2004 and targets the following groups in the agriculture industry:
-
Grain growing;
- Grain-sheep and grain-beef cattle farming;
- Sheep-beef cattle farming (beef sector);
- Horticulture;
- Beef cattle farming; and
- Dairy cattle farming.
Free half-day workshop layout:
A short presentation is given to participants to outline the reasons for the workshop, define hazards and risk and to discuss the types of control measures which can be implemented.
A walk around the property is then conducted using comprehensive checklists. Areas that are often looked at and discussed include the workshop, silos, chemical shed, machinery and shearing sheds. The host is provided with a written set of recommendations for the property - it is then up to the host/farm manager on how and when they feel they can look at any changes that may have been suggested.
The on farm advisory service will be administered and delivered by Farmsafe WA Alliance, with the support of government funding and in collaboration with WA Farmers Federation, Pastoralists and Graziers Association and agriculture industry associations. Interested parties or individuals can get more information on the service by contacting the Alliance’s Office on (08) 9359 4118.
