July 19, 2022
Tragically 46 farmers or farm workers were killed in on-farm incidents across Australia during 2021.
The figure – which is actually 12 fewer than the number of deaths in 2019 and 2020 – was released during National Farm Safety Week on Tuesday.
This year’s Farm Safety Week theme is “Recipes for Averting Disaster”.
It focuses on the intangible risks and hazards that are faced every day on farms and how to reduce these risks through raising awareness and discussing their impacts on working lives.
According to Farmsafe Australia, 40 per cent of all farm deaths are related to machinery, including tractors and quad bikes.
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry spokesperson Rosemary Deininger said ensuring the safety of farmers was a priority for DAFF.
“We want to ensure that farm-safe behaviours are instilled into current farmers and the next generation of farmers to further reduce the risk of injuries and accidents,” she said.
“Improvements in farm safety will be key to building a stronger and more profitable agriculture industry as we work to grow the sector to $100 billion by 2030.”
National Farm Safety Week runs from July 18-22.
- External link: Farmsafe Australia
