SafeWork NSW Webinar Urges Farmers to Lead the Way on Safety

In the lead-up to National Farm Safety Week 2026 (19–25 July), SafeWork NSW is urging farmers and rural businesses across the state to put work health and safety at the top of their agenda. The week offers a timely opportunity to inspect properties for hazards, review WHS management systems, refresh Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS), and have open conversations about safety on the farm.

This year’s Farm Safety Week theme, “Set the Standard: Show ‘em how it’s done”, calls on farmers to lead by example. SafeWork NSW is encouraging primary producers to take simple, practical steps to strengthen their safety practices and demonstrate strong WHS leadership to workers, family members and contractors.

To support this, SafeWork NSW is hosting a free online seminar, First Steps to Farm Safety, and releasing a suite of new resources designed to help farming businesses create safer, healthier and more productive workplaces. These tools can be integrated into existing WHS policies and procedures to ensure compliance with work health and safety legislation and industry best practice.

Agriculture remains one of Australia’s most hazardous industries. Everyday tasks such as operating tractors, quad bikes, side-by-side vehicles and other machinery, working with livestock, and handling hazardous chemicals present significant risks. These hazards continue to drive an unacceptable level of serious incidents, including fatalities, across rural communities.

In 2025 alone, SafeWork NSW recorded 12 fatalities in the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing industry sector. During the same period, inspectors and advisory services responded to 352 requests for service, 15 of which specifically related to quad bikes, side-by-side vehicles and all-terrain vehicles. A further 282 incident notifications were received, including 12 serious injuries associated with these high-risk vehicles.

National Farm Safety Week aims to shine a light on these risks and promote straightforward, effective controls that can prevent injuries and save lives. Strengthening WHS management systems, ensuring up-to-date SWMS for high-risk tasks, and embedding clear farm safety policies can significantly reduce the likelihood of serious incidents.

SafeWork NSW’s free First Steps to Farm Safety webinar will be held online on Thursday 23 July 2026, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. The session is designed for farm owners, managers, workers, contractors and seasonal staff who want practical guidance on improving safety performance.

The webinar will showcase the newly launched First Steps to Farm Safety guide, which provides clear, practical advice and easy-to-use checklists to help farming businesses identify hazards, assess risks and meet their obligations under WHS laws. Participants will be guided on how to embed these measures into everyday operations, from safe operating procedures to emergency response planning.

Key topics covered in the session include training and supervision, emergency planning, and the management of common farm risks. These include tractors and other mobile plant, quad bikes, side-by-side vehicles, farm machinery, falls from heights, hazardous chemicals and mental health and wellbeing. Attendees will also have an opportunity to ask questions during a live Q&A, enabling them to seek clarification on specific WHS issues affecting their farms.

Farmers who attend the event may be eligible for financial assistance through the NSW Government’s Small Business Rebate program. This rebate offers up to $1,000 to help small businesses, including farms, purchase approved safety items that improve work health and safety outcomes. The rebate is designed to support practical changes on the ground, such as installing guarding, improving access and egress, or investing in safer equipment.

When considering improvements, farming businesses may also wish to formalise their WHS documentation, including WHS management systems and farm-specific policies and procedures. Off-the-shelf, customisable WHS documentation solutions are available from specialist providers such as BlueSafe, which can help streamline compliance and support safer day-to-day operations.

Registration for the First Steps to Farm Safety webinar is free, and participants can also download the accompanying guide via the SafeWork NSW website. The event is suitable for anyone involved in farm operations, from owners and managers to workers, contractors and seasonal staff.

Acting SafeWork Commissioner Petrina Casey emphasised the ongoing impact of preventable farm incidents on regional communities.

“Far too many families and communities continue to endure the profound and lasting impact of preventable incidents on farms.

This National Farm Safety Week, SafeWork NSW is holding farmers and businesses accountable, providing education, resources and financial assistance to ensure they have the means necessary to keep themselves and their workers safe while out on the fields.

Small steps can make a big difference. By combining practical knowledge with financial support, SafeWork NSW is providing farmers with a valuable opportunity to redouble their efforts to identify safety risks and take the necessary steps to improving safety on their farms.”

By taking advantage of the free seminar, implementing robust WHS policies, and investing in safer systems of work, NSW farmers can truly “set the standard” and show how effective farm safety is done.