Farm safety: Top insights from the Safer Farms 2024 report

The most recent Safer Farms report, sponsored by WFI Insurance and compiled by Farmsafe Australia, takes an in-depth look at all the moving parts that can play a role in farming incidents, as well as the protective measures being taken to mitigate these – sometimes life-threatening – risks.

Findings from the 2024 report show the importance of developing a culture of safety across all farming operations, with safety not just being about compliance, but also about protecting lives and keeping agricultural businesses sustainable for the long term.

This year’s report centred on the theme “In Safe Hands”, which encourages farmers to reflect on what it means to keep their farms and workers secure. You can read the full report here, with contributions from industry experts and data-led insights that paint a comprehensive picture of the current safety landscape in Australian agriculture.

There were several insightful trends revealed in this year’s report:

• Decrease in fatalities: The report found a significant reduction in on-farm fatalities, marking the lowest number recorded in years. There were 32 fatalities in 2023, down from 55 deaths in 2022. While this reduction is encouraging, even one fatality is too many. The need for continued vigilance and improvement in safety practices remains as important as ever.
• Machinery, weather and animal incidents: Heavy machinery, large animals and severe weather events are key risks on farms. Self-managed repairs to broken down machinery and neglecting key safety steps were leading causes of machinery incidents. The report found that farm property damage claims stemming from natural peril events increased by 32% over the past year.
• Age-related risks: Over 44% of fatalities occurred in farmers over the age of 60. It raises the question of whether there needs to be a stronger push for age-specific safety strategies and awareness.
• Fewer claims: There were some notable drops in WFI’s liability claims across most segments, with falls from heights decreasing by 75% and impact injuries down by 30% – the lowest in four years.

If there’s one takeaway from the 2024 Safer Farms report to keep front-of-mind, it’s that fostering a culture of safety on farms is key to protecting lives and livelihoods. A strong safety culture is one that’s built on mutual respect, open communication and ongoing education and training. Building this safety mentality into your operations should align with the core values of agricultural communities, with hard work, family and sustainability being key drivers.

All farmers can integrate safety measures into their daily routines, making safety a natural part of everyday operations on the farm. Not only will you be protecting yourself and your workers, but you’ll be setting a positive example for the next generation of farmers to come.