Good safety systems are a priority on farms because of the many hazards. Not only are you at risk, but so are your family and friends.
On this page:
Farm maintenanceTractorsChild safetyChemicalsFarm maintenance
Poor maintenance on farms continues to be the cause of severe injury and death. Farm owners and managers should:
- keep a list of actions to eliminate hazards and reduce risks
- replace missing machine guards on equipment
- ensure electrical equipment is properly maintained
- eliminate hazards in the workshop
- repair or dispose of items that are worn or broken
- keep tools and spare parts in good condition and store them properly
- implement maintenance schedules.
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Tractors
Tractors cause more deaths than any other industrial machinery in Australia. Farmers can help reduce the risk by:
- never carrying passengers unless they are in a proper seat
- following all operating and safety instructions
- only starting the tractor when properly seated – not while standing on the ground
- not driving a tractor while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
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Child safety
Visiting children are highly vulnerable if they are not familiar with rural life. Farmers should prevent children from straying into potentially dangerous areas. Be aware that children:
- have a poorly developed sense of danger and take more risks
- succumb to peer pressure and take on dares
- are able to crawl into confined spaces
- have limited ability to control animals and machinery
- often have a narrow sense of vision.
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Chemicals
Dangerous chemicals are common on farms and need to be stored and handled in accordance with the manufacturer or supplier’s instructions. These instructions may be in the form of a material safety data sheet (MSDS).
When spraying chemicals every reasonable precaution must be taken to avoid damage to the environment. Unwanted chemicals should be taken to a licensed disposal site.
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More information
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Employer responsibilityNew staffWorkplace bullyingOutdoor workHealth and Safety RepresentativeOther websites
Farm safety publications - SafeWork SA