Farm safety campaign highlights benefits beyond preventing injuries

The fifth-generation farmer was drafting bulls at his Willaura property when a question from across the yard briefly diverted his attention. Two bulls, each weighing about 850 kilograms, began fighting, and one forced the other through a chained gate.

“The chain blew off, and the bull slammed into a rail beside me, knocking me over.” Mr Abbott said he would have been crushed had he been standing a foot to the left, describing his position as pure luck.

Mr Abbott manages the cattle operation at Mount William Station, which his family has farmed for more than a century. He features in WorkSafe’s new agriculture campaign, ‘Safety – it does more than keep you safe’, which highlights benefits including efficiency, productivity, staff retention, peace of mind, legacy-building and protecting everyone on the farm.

His cattle yards now include modern races and crushes, raised working platforms, slam latch gates and cattle-free zones. Mr Abbott said the changes had improved cattle movement, kept people away from danger zones, reduced stress on animals and workers, and helped the team finish work sooner. He said older yards depended heavily on experience, reflexes and manpower, but cattle could become dangerous within seconds.

Agriculture represents about two per cent of Victoria’s workforce but regularly accounts for about 10 per cent of workplace fatalities. Since 2021, the industry has recorded 38 work-related deaths, including five last year and three so far this year. Most involved tractors and people aged 65 or older. WorkSafe also accepted 2,932 injury claims from agricultural workers over the same period.

WorkSafe Chief Health and Safety Officer Sam Jenkin said ageing brings additional considerations, particularly when working around cattle and tractors, as reaction times slow and physical capacity changes. He acknowledged that many farmers remain active into their 70s and 80s and that their experience is valuable.

“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,” he said. “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’s practical farm safety guidance is regularly reviewed and updated using good practice and input from industry experts. The new campaign is appearing across regional television, print, radio, online, outdoor advertising and social media.

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