EVERY farmer deserves to come home safely at the end of the day.
That is the message at the heart of a new statewide campaign urging Victorian farmers to see safety not as a burden, but as an investment in their lives, their livelihoods and the long term strength of their businesses.
Deputy Premier and Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC Ben Carroll this week launched the “Safety – it does more than keep you safe” campaign, a $2.8 million initiative highlighting how simple safety improvements can make farms safer, more efficient and more sustainable.
The campaign, running across regional television, radio, print, outdoor, digital and social media, features real Victorian farmers sharing their own experiences and practical steps they have taken to reduce risks on their properties.
The push comes as agriculture workers continue to be over represented in workplace fatalities.
While the industry accounts for about two per cent of Victoria’s workforce, it regularly makes up around 10 per cent of annual workplace deaths.
Since 2021, there have been 38 work related fatalities in Victoria’s agriculture industry, including five last year and three so far this year.
The majority involved tractors, and many victims were aged 65 and older.
In the same period, WorkSafe accepted 2932 injury claims from workers in the industry.
Farm vehicles such as tractors, quad bikes and trucks account for almost half of all agriculture related deaths. Livestock incidents remain another leading cause.
“It’s tragic to see farmers continuing to be overrepresented in workplace fatalities,” Mr Carroll said.
“This campaign is about sharing the tangible benefits of simple safety improvements. I encourage those in the industry to look out for each other and share safety advice, knowledge and learnings, because it can make a difference.”
WorkSafe chief health and safety officer Sam Jenkin said age adds another layer of risk, particularly when working with cattle and heavy machinery.
“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,” 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 provides practical, industry designed guidance to help farmers identify risks and make meaningful improvements. Its safety resources are co designed with industry experts and are consistently reviewed and updated in line with good practice.
