Work health and safety (WHS) is important to farmers because they, their families and their employees tend to face increased physical risks. They also face increased psychological risks such as depression and anxiety. As a farmer, caring for yourself and your workers is important to staying safe on your farm.
Everyone in the workplace in Australia is subject to WHS duties under various state, territory and federal laws which aim to promote and enforce the health and safety of workers and workplaces.
There are often several potential hazards on a farm that can lead to injuries or illness. Farmers can face hazards from vehicles, chemicals, large farm animals and extreme weather conditions. It can be especially tough when farmers work alone in remote locations without phone coverage or easy access to first aid. As a farmer, it’s important to stay aware of these hazards and take steps to stay safe while working on the farm.
As a farmer, taking steps to prioritise WHS is essential. One key aspect of this is taking steps to reduce potential accidents, which involves having awareness of the following types of matters on a farm:
It’s also important to prioritise physical and mental health. The National Centre for Farmer Health is a helpful resource for learning more about health and safety while working on the farm.
By implementing proper WHS procedures, farmers can reduce the risk of accidents, injuries and poor mental health and create a safer work environment for themselves and their employees.
If you’d like to get a WFI Farm Insurance quote, review your existing policy or update your coverage, call your WFI local area manager on 1300 934 934 or visit wfi.com.au.
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