Farmers produce new safety guide

A new safety guide, created “by farmers, for farmers”, has been released, in a bid to improve agricultural workers’ health and wellbeing.

Workers in the agriculture, fishing and forestry sector have a higher risk of work-related injury or death than most, according to the guide, highlighting the need for better health and safety management in those industries.

As a result, farmers, NSW Farmers and SafeWork NSW have produced the A-Z Farm Safety Guide — a 32-page document that provides practical and cost-effective advice on reducing work, health and safety risks.

“This guide gives great advice on how people can manage heat, the use of chemicals, as well as fall prevention techniques and tips for working in confined spaces,” said NSW Minister for Better Regulation Kevin Anderson.

Anderson added that the guide could benefit anyone on a farm, not just workers.

“Work health and safety is everyone’s business. Even if you are self-employed, you are legally responsible for the health and safety of everyone who comes onto your farm including family members, visitors and customers.”

The Member for Dubbo, Dugald Saunders, also welcomed the guide.

“With all the challenges that come with working on the land, health and safety can often seem too difficult to put on the agenda, that is why we’re encouraging farmers to have a look at this simple guide to better protect them and their families,” Saunders said.

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