Safety Alert: Share the Load, Don’t Work Alone

Hay Safety Day – Industry leaders urge sharing the workload to improve safety in Australia’s $2bn fodder sector.

Vanessa Curtis, Executive Officer of the Australian Fodder Industry Association (AFIA), says:

“Don’t do dangerous tasks alone. Also, share your knowledge to keep the industry sustainable.”

This campaign began with Suzanne Woods, a WA hay grower whose father died in a farm accident.

Ms Curtis adds:

“Everyone has the right and responsibility to work safely—physically, mentally and emotionally. Our industry uses large, complex machinery, often alone and in remote areas, with unique risks.”

Recent Incidents Highlight Risks

• February: Woman killed operating silage wrapper in Victoria
• March: Hay exporter fined $400,000 after employee’s death by machinery in Victoria
• April: WA hay company fined $595,000 for serious worker injury
• April: Man crushed unloading hay bales near Bendigo

“It’s not just business sense but a duty to your workers and community to plan for safety,” said Ms Curtis.

AFIA Safety Checklist

AFIA offers a safety checklist for the season, covering machinery, people management, fire control, and emergency planning.

Machinery and Equipment

• Maintain and inspect machinery regularly
• Use correct equipment for tasks
• Provide thorough training
• Manage traffic carefully, keep children away from hazards

People Management

• Update policies regularly
• Set clear expectations
• Ensure recent inductions for all
• Continual training, PPE use
• Manage fatigue and manual handling risks

Fire Control and Emergency Preparedness

• Stack bales securely, avoid overloading
• Monitor moisture to prevent fires
• Minimise fire hazards, ensure ventilation

Safe Stacking and Storage

• Keep fire extinguishers accessible and checked
• Maintain fully stocked first aid kits
• Have a clear emergency plan known by all

Industry Overview

For nearly 30 years, AFIA has supported producers supplying feed to Australia’s meat, egg, dairy and horticulture sectors. The industry’s value ranges from $900m to $2bn annually, with significant exports of premium hay—1.3 million tonnes valued over $540m in 2024.

Hay Safety Day website