Tractor Safety The Focus Of National Farm Safety Week

The Andrews Labor Government is urging farmers to take extra care, particularly around tractors, following the release of figures which show more than 10 farmers are injured every week on Victorian farms.

Minister for Finance Robin Scott expressed his concern during a visit to Federation University Australia’s Rural Sciences site at Mt Rowan, near Ballarat today.

Agriculture remains one of the most high-risk industries in Victoria. Over the past five years, more than 2800 serious injury claims have been reported to WorkSafe.

Tragically, fatalities are far too common. There have been 30 deaths in the farming sector over the past five years.

Significantly, about one third of all on-farm fatalities, both professional and lifestyle properties, can be directly related to tractors and their attachments.

Safety in the workplace is a key priority of the Labor Government, and this includes those Victorians working on farms. As National Farm Safety Week approaches (July 20-24), it is important to remind farmers to make sure safety is their number one priority.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Finance Robin Scott

“Workplace safety is a key priority of the Andrews Labor Government, and we need to ensure that the message of safety in the workplace reaches our farming community.”

“It doesn’t matter if someone is a fulltime farmer or part time farmer, young or old, male or female, a lack of concentration or insufficient safety precautions when using farm machinery can be fatal.”

“Tractors can kill, which is why the Andrews Labor Government is urging all of our farming Victorians to spread the message of safety during National Farm Safety Week.”