Timely reminder: Let’s keep kids safe on NSW Farms these school holidays

Holiday-goers visiting rural properties must follow the safety rules of owners and keep in mind most farms are also workplaces. Farmers also have responsibilities under NSW WHS laws to ensure the health and safety of everyone on their farm, including their guests.

Over the last five years agricultural, forestry and fishing make up the second largest number of workplace fatalities.

When it comes to the agricultural industry and farms, there is a lot of moving plant and equipment, including quad bikes which remain a hazardous risk, especially with kids. Children under the age of 16 do not have the body size, weight, strength or skill required to safely operate an adult sized quad bike, or travel as a passenger.

Since 2011, over 200 people have been killed in quad bike-related incidents in Australia. 58 of these occurred in NSW. Tragically 29 of those fatalities were children under 16 years of age with most child deaths occurring when riding a passenger at slow speed and on flat ground.

More than 20 percent of all child deaths on farms involve kids visiting the site who may not be familiar with the dangers.

Farm vehicles are not toys, they are powerful pieces of machinery that can be extremely dangerous when not used safely by trained operators. The consequences of someone being seriously hurt or killed is devastating, especially if an incident involves a child.

The Minns Labor government initiative to keep farm workplaces safe includes the NSW Farm Safety Advisory Program, a $2 million four-year commitment in partnership with the NSW Farmers Association valued at $500,000 per year.

The Program aims to upskill members of the farming community with knowledge and skills that focus on the prevention of injury and illness.

If you are a small business owner in NSW, a $1,000 rebate will help you purchase safety items to improve work health and safety for you and your workers. This program is funded and administered by SafeWork NSW.

A Rebate for Operator Protective Devices (OPDs), also known as “roll bars”, and compliant helmets is  also available through SafeWork NSW’s Small Business Rebate Scheme.

Farmers are encouraged to complete SafeWork’s Farm Safety Assessment Tool and view the Child Safety on Farms Fact Sheet to help their farm stay safe for visitors.

Farmers can also take advantage of SafeWork’s free advisory visit service to help them create an action plan to address safety issues.

Further information is on the SafeWork NSW website www.safework.nsw.gov.au

Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said:

“Farms across NSW are often busy during the Christmas holidays with visitors enjoying the rural environment. However, they are often workplaces and present hazards.

“The NSW Government is urging farmers to review and enforce their safety rules this festive season, especially concerning the use of quad bikes and side by side vehicles.

“This Holiday season we want everyone to come home safely.”

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“The health and safety of farm workplaces is of paramount importance, especially during this busy school holiday period.

“There is a lot of moving plant and equipment, including quad bikes which remain a hazardous risk, especially with kids and we encourage farm business owners to do their due diligence when it comes to keeping their farm safe.”

Head of SafeWork NSW Trent Curtin said:

“It’s important during this school holiday season that farmers are extra vigilant and enforce safety requirements without exception.

“Children aged under 16 should never be on adult-sized quad bikes, even when carried as a passenger. Everyone should wear a helmet to protect against head injury and a seat belt in vehicles.”