The report highlights the 2022 injury and fatality statistics as well as the first six months of 2023.
Agriculture continues to rank as one of the most dangerous Australian industries to work in.
Last year, 55 farmers lost their lives on Australian farms with tractors accounting for 20 per cent of these fatalities and quad bikes accounting for another 14 per cent.
The Safer Farms Report unpacks the statistics and highlights tools and resources available to farmers through the Farmsafe Australia website, Farmsafe member organisations and collaborative partners.
The report also calls on industry, government, and supply chain stakeholders to actively support Farmsafe Australia to ensure that Australian farmers continue to have access to free farm safety information, tools and resources.
This year's Farm Safety Week campaign, ‘Stay on the Safe Side,' focusses on tractor, vehicle and machinery safety, in an effort to raise awareness of the alarming injury and fatality statistics attributed to these agents, and reinforce important safety messaging to help farmers create a safer working environment.
The underlying message of the campaign is that farmers and farm workers need to take ownership of their own safety by recognising that safety is a choice they make every day.
Farmsafe Australia chair, Felicity Richards, is a farmer herself and knows firsthand the importance of making safe decisions.
"Every time a farmer tackles a job on the farm, no matter how big or small, or how many times they've performed that job, they make decisions," Richards said.
"They can choose to do it safely or they can choose to take unnecessary risks. That choice is influenced by how much time, money or labour they have at their disposal. By emphasising that safety is a choice, our hope is that farmers choose to stay on the safe side and protect themselves, their families, their workers and ultimately, their farms.
"Complacency is a silent adversary that poses a real threat to older farmers. When we become comfortable with or indifferent to risks and hazards, we expose ourselves to danger.
"Farming demands constant vigilance and a firm commitment to safety. We must remain proactive, continuously assessing and addressing risks. By challenging complacency, we fortify ourselves against incidents, protecting lives and ensuring the sustainable success of our agricultural workforce," Richards said.
This week's safety topics include never circumventing safety mechanisms, choosing the right vehicle for the job, looking out for little farmers (child safety), working around power take off shafts and Implements and knowing limits in relation to fatigue and well-being.
To view the Safer Farms Report 2023, or access safety information and educational resources, please visit www.farmsafe.org.au.
