A FARM is not only a family property but also a fully-functioning workplace where fun and work don’t always mix.
That is the message from SafeFarms WA and Kidsafe WA heading into the school holidays.
Kidsafe WA chief executive officer Scott Phillips said a lot of accidents involved visitors to farms and it was important to understand that machinery and equipment was foreign to them.
“Often children who are visiting aren’t very experienced with things happening on the farm,” Mr Phillips said.
“Children may be in a lot more danger when they try and take on tasks such as quad bikes and animals,” Mr Phillips said.
A key focus for Kidsafe is on the proper safety equipment and training needed when operating vehicles, such as helmets and supervision.
SafeFarms WA project director Maree Gooch works closely with Kidsafe WA in targeting child safety on farms, especially over the school holidays.
“No-go zones need to be established,” Ms Gooch said.
“Kids on school holidays is where the accidents happen.
“Being a working property, our farms are a very busy place, so we just need to watch out,” Ms Gooch said.
SafeFarms has released a 30-minute checklist in time for the holidays that focuses on identifying hazards and putting controls in place.
Ms Gooch said it was a reminder for people to slow down and assess the risks.
“Kids know the rules, but they still do stuff they shouldn’t,” she said.
“It’s hard to teach kids the consequences, especially when they are influenced by others.”
Ms Gooch said children growing up on farms knew a lot more than those who weren’t exposed to that environment and it was their responsibility to keep visitors safe.
Over the past 12 months SafeFarms WA and CBH have established and built a manual for on-farm inductions and safety guides.
The guides and checklists can be used to maintain a safe working environment.
“I will often ask people if they have a policy on OH&S and they will say no, then I ask if they have a policy on first-aid and evacuation and they will say no and it is the same with workplace harassment and bullying,” Ms Gooch said.
The point of the manual isn’t only for the safety of those on-farm but it can be used as a safety net to make sure people have the right training and procedures in case of an accident.
Ms Gooch said not many farming businesses would be able to withstand a lawsuit if something happened.
Law firm HopgoodGanim has helped co-ordinate the manual.
“We understand following the guides and shutting down equipment can be expensive and take more time, however at what price is a life?” Ms Gooch asked.
“What you walk past is what you accept.
“It comes down to a culture, so with SafeFarms we are trying to build that culture from the inside out.
“There are a whole bunch of farmers out there doing the right thing, they have inductions and do work place assessments.”
Ms Gooch said the SafeFarms Safety System package and membership cost $1200, something that would cost $10,000 if a law firm was asked to put together a similar individual package.
She said the price was deliberately kept low to get the industry up to speed.
More information: safefarms.net.au
