Most risks that farmers reduce, help to increase profitability and security within the farm business, yet there is one area of risk that often isn’t given enough time and energy. Farm safety is a topic that is often overlooked and put on the backburner to worry about ‘later’. Yet it’s a critical area where reducing the risks can be make or break for many businesses.
When Issac Nattress took over the running of the 800 cow family farm at Drumborg, he identified that safety was an important aspect of the business that they needed to improve on. Whilst they had always been mindful of safety, there was no formal policies or procedures in place. Mid last year Issac was put in touch with the team at WestVic Dairy and Extension Advisor in Workforce Planning and Action, Matt Wood.
“Being new to the industry and suddenly in charge of managing a team of seven employees, I knew I needed some help. Matt came out and he went through the Farm Safety Manual and the resources on the People in Dairy website with me.
“We discussed where and how to begin, what the priorities on our farm were and how to keep an accurate record of the work we were doing. Whilst I know there is more for us to do, I feel happier that we have at least started the process and there are more records in place,” said Isaac.
The stakes have been increased even further when it comes to farm safety, with Workplace Manslaughter legislation coming into effect in Victoria in 2020. The changes don’t actually put any new obligations on employers; there has always been the obligation under the OHS Act to provide a safe workplace.
However, the potential outcome for failing to provide a safe workplace is now much more severe. Earlier this year sentencing for the first prosecution under the new law was made, with a stonemason facing over $1.4 million in fines and compensation, along with a community corrections order.
What can I do to make my farm safer?
Together with maintaining a safe environment, having a formal, recorded induction process for new employees and providing clear safety guidelines is the most basic way to reduce your liability as a business owner. Getting the basics in place is time very well spent. It helps keep people safe and could be the difference between facing prosecution from WorkSafe or not.
A range of resources can be found at peopleindairy.org.au, including templates to formalise your safety procedures.
It can and should be a whole team effort to make farms safer places. As a starting point, an idea is to have each team member complete a farm safety scan out of the Farm Safety Starter Kit. This involves checking and assessing one section of the business and rating your compliance. Another first step is to work out the most critical danger areas on your farm and put standard operating procedures and policies in place. For example, quad bikes are a clear hazard and a lot of the serious injuries that happen on farm are from their incorrect operation.
Dairy Australia has put together a policy and standard operating procedure (SOP) for quad bike operation (and many others), which you can download from peopleindairy.org.au and tailor to suit your situation.
Do you need some more help with farm safety? Get in touch with WestVic Dairy on 5557 1000.
