26 farms share ideas to improve workplace safety

The Safety Learning Network gave participating farms opportunities to discuss safe systems of work and practical improvements through regular catch-ups and farm visits. The project was led by Velisha Education Group (VEG) and agriculture consultancy ORM Consultancy and Communications, with funding from WorkSafe.

Amanda Smith, from Riviera Farms in Gippsland, said discussions through the network prompted the farm to produce new training videos for multicultural workers. She said the best starting point for improving safety was to “just start talking about it”, and described making safety part of everyday conversations as a way to build a habit.

VEG Managing Director Catherine Velisha said farmers could be hesitant to ask for help, making the network’s collaborative approach valuable. “Knowing people who are running the same business as you, doing the same roles as you and also having the same challenges and the same stresses – I think that gives real freedom and opens up conversation,” Ms Velisha said.

Fourth-generation almond, citrus and asparagus grower Darren Minter, from the Mildura region, replaced paper instructions with QR codes after taking part in the program. The codes direct workers to videos demonstrating correct and safe machinery operation. Mr Minter said he wanted everyone on his farm to return home safely each night, recognising that an injury also causes trauma for people around the injured worker.

ORM Senior Agribusiness Consultant Jane Foster said the network connected grain growers across the Mallee. “A lot of people felt a little bit overwhelmed about how to start,” Ms Foster said. “Amongst the group, there's now a really positive mindset towards safety and proactively managing risks and hazards on farm.”

Leonie and Callum Boxall joined as their family’s Mallee cropping operation expanded. They wanted safety systems that could support their new workforce, including a comprehensive induction process. Callum said the program increased their awareness of hazards and helped them prioritise those hazards, with continual improvement remaining important.

WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety Sam Jenkin said discussions with other farmers were invaluable in preventing deaths and injuries. “It takes courage to start those conversations and to reach out and seek advice when you need it – and nothing resonates more than connecting with people in a similar situation,” Mr Jenkin said.

The Safety Learning Network is being evaluated to determine how the program might operate in the future.

How Blue Safe can help: Our WHS platform can help you organise training records, inspections and incident reporting as you develop your farm’s safety practices. See Blue Safe WHS software