Farming for a future
NATIONAL Farm Safety Week aims to raise awareness of farm safety issues in rural communities across the country, and Farmsafe Australia is revitalising its operations thanks to a federal government grant, says chairman Charles Armstrong.
The three-year National Farm Safety Education Fund grant is being provided by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment.
“The National Farm Safety Education Fund grant has allowed Farmsafe Australia to employ an executive officer who will manage the revitalisation project but will also be responsible for the day to day running of the organisation, which is a significant and extremely positive change for the operational abilities of Farmsafe,” Mr Armstrong said.
“A refreshed look is the first of many changes that will be occurring over the next three years. We are rebuilding the Farmsafe website to be the ‘go to’ place for farm safety information.”
This year’s theme for Farm Safety Week is “Farming for a Future”, focussing on risk assessment and awareness, planning and mitigation, in light of a year which has seen drought, bushfires, floods and COVID-19.
Mr Armstrong said Farmsafe Australia will have a strong focus on mental health awareness and support.
“The first phase of the project will see the refreshed brand and a modern and engaging redesigned website become the gateway for the release of a new repository of user-friendly, downloadable toolbox talk resources and an upgraded induction tool that will cross numerous commodities and be able to be used offline,” he said.
“This will ensure that even those properties that struggle with their internet have access to our resources.”
Farmsafe’s new executive officer plans to be spending time on farms across Australia, hearing firsthand about current issues and getting the opportunity to listen to farmers’ ideas on what they need, to work towards best practice safety processes and systems on their farms, for their employees and their families.
Farmsafe will also be running its first ever virtual conference in November. Although the decision to switch to the virtual platform was made in response to the current COVID-19 restrictions, it will mean that the conference is more accessible to a wider audience, allowing farmers to stay on-farm while still having access to first class speakers, webinars, forums and virtual exhibitors.
Mr Armstrong said he’s excited about Farmsafe Australia’s future.
“Farmsafe Australia is ready to resume its spot as the national voice of farm safety and work alongside state bodies, researchers, universities, medical experts and industry professionals to coordinate and provide safety messaging that is accurate and consistent for Australia’s smallest hobby acreage through to our largest corporate farms.”