Public comment sought on falls in agriculture guidance note

The Draft guidance note ‘Fall prevention in the agricultural sector’ outlines ways in which to address the risks associated with accidental falls when working at heights in the agricultural sector.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said that the agricultural sector presented some quite specific fall hazards: “On average, one person per week in the WA agricultural sector is injured seriously enough in a fall to need to take time off work.

“However, this figure is likely to be the tip of the iceberg because a large number of farmers are self-employed and injuries often go unreported.

“Falls from heights on farms can involve silos, vats, field bins and windmills, and falls from lesser heights can involve trucks and farm machinery.

“The proposed guidance note was developed by a working party that included a number of industry representatives, and the aim is to provide employers and employees in the agricultural sector with practical advice on preventing falls.

“I urge anyone with an interest in the agricultural sector to look at the draft document and consider submitting comments or suggestions. Comments can make a valuable contribution to the safety and health of Western Australian workers.

“As in any area of workplace safety and health, it is always better to have preventative measures in place, requiring an assessment of the risks and implementation of measures to prevent falls as far as is practicable.”

Guidance notes are aimed at providing practical guidance on ways of complying with occupational safety and health laws. Workplaces should follow guidance notes relevant to them and have them available in the workplace at all times. Comments can be submitted in person or via post, email or fax, and the closing date for submissions is 23 July 2010.