Safety Checklists Cut Risks
A simple safety checklist can help maintain a safe farm working environment by identifying potential risks and taking steps to prevent accidents.
Dr Pauline Brightling who manages Dairy Australia’s The People in Dairy program says farms differ from most other workplaces because people live and work at the same location. Older and younger family members, as well as workers, are at risk from hazards on the farm.
"The prevention of personal injury and ill health associated with working and living on the farm is a priority for everyone in the dairy industry," Dr Brightling said.
"All farm businesses have an obligation under law to provide a safe and healthy workplace for their employees, contractors, family, visitors and members of the public. Farm businesses who don’t act to fulfill health and safety responsibilities face significant fines and penalties."
The People in Dairy website have a safety checklist to help identify potential risks and hazards and identify ways they can be eliminated or controlled.
It covers traffic, power and electrical, environment, manual handling, dairy hazards, confined spaces, farm chemicals, emergency response, workplace policies and machinery and equipment risks.
Dr Brightling said further help was available for those who need it.
A number of dairy companies are introducing programs to support improved farm safety which include an independent farm safety audit.
"An independent person can often help identify hazards, which may go unnoticed by people who work on the farm," Dr Brightling said.
Worksafe Victoria also offers Victorian businesses with up to 20 employees a free three hour session with an independent health and safety consultant as part of its Safety and Prevention program. The consultant visits the farm, helps identify safety issues relevant to the business and provides advice on how to go about addressing the issues.
For more information contact The People in Dairy at www.thepeopleindairy.org.au or telephone 03 9620 7283.
