Farm Safety Campaign Highlights That Safe Yards Boost Productivity

Fifth-generation cattle producer James Abbott was drafting bulls on his Willaura property when a brief distraction almost ended in tragedy. As he turned to answer a question from the other side of the yard, two 850-kilogram bulls began fighting.

"One bull smashed the other straight through a chained gate," Mr Abbott said. "The chain blew off, and the bull slammed into a rail beside me, knocking me over."

"Thankfully it wasn’t a huge knock, but if I’d been standing a foot to the left, I would’ve been crushed. The fact that I was standing exactly where I was – that was pure luck and I’ll never forget it."

Mr Abbott manages the cattle operation at Mount William Station, a property his family has farmed for more than a century. He is now one of the faces of WorkSafe Victoria’s agriculture campaign, ‘Safety – it does more than keep you safe’, which highlights that good work health and safety practices deliver broader benefits including improved efficiency, productivity, staff retention, peace of mind and – most importantly – protecting lives on farm.

Following the incident, Mr Abbott upgraded his cattle yards to incorporate engineered safety controls such as modern races and crushes, raised working platforms, slam-latch gates and clearly defined cattle-free zones.

"Now, the cattle move better, people stay out of danger zones, and there’s less stress on the animals and on us. We get the work done quicker instead of finishing in the dark," he said.

He noted that older style yards often relied heavily on experience, quick reflexes and physical strength to manage risk. "You can never fully trust cattle, no matter how calm they appear. Things can go wrong in seconds, and you need a yard that protects you," Mr Abbott said. Integrating these controls into a documented WHS management system or Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) can help ensure safer, more consistent work practices across the whole operation. For example, farmers can access template WHS management systems and SWMS resources via providers such as Bluesafe and Bluesafe SWMS.

Agriculture employs around two per cent of Victoria’s workforce but routinely accounts for about 10 per cent of workplace fatalities. Since 2021, there have been 38 work-related deaths in the state’s agriculture sector, including five in the previous year and three so far this year. Most have involved tractors and have disproportionately affected workers aged 65 and over.

Over the same period, WorkSafe has accepted 2,932 injury claims from agricultural workers, underscoring the need for robust risk management, fit-for-purpose equipment and clear farm safety policies and procedures.

WorkSafe Chief Health and Safety Officer Sam Jenkin said an ageing workforce adds another dimension to risk management, particularly around cattle handling and tractor use, as reaction times slow and physical capacity changes.

"We understand farming is not really something you retire from and many farmers are active well into their 70s and 80s, which is something to be proud of when experience is so valuable," Mr Jenkin said.

"But it’s important to pause every so often and think about what safety measures are in place and where you might benefit from some extra help. We want you safe and sticking around as long as possible to pass on your legacy of skills, knowledge and experience to the next generation."

WorkSafe has developed a suite of practical farm safety guidance, co-designed with industry experts and regularly reviewed against current good practice. The new agriculture campaign is being promoted across regional television, print, radio, online, outdoor and social media channels to reinforce that safety and successful, sustainable farming go hand in hand.