A productive and profitable farm business must effectively manage health and safety risks for all workers (employees and contractors). Good farm business operation does not adversely affect the health and safety of workers, farm visitors, people with whom the farm does business, the community, and the environment.

Your farm’s health and safety policy should cover the following areas:

Providing a safe workplace

This includes procedures for identifying hazards, risk assessments, and risk controls.

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Working safely

• All workers should be asked to report hazards and any unsafe work practices.
• Regular WHS meetings should be held with workers as part of a consultation process
• Consider establishing a health and safety committee
• All employees should receive a safety induction into your farm’s operations
• Assess employees’ skills before asking them to operate any machinery/equipment
• Instruction should be given to all workers to ensure work is done in a safe manner
• New employees should be supervised until they can demonstrate they can operate equipment safely
• Safety information should be provided on the use of machinery, chemicals, pesticides, and other hazardous substances
• Regular maintenance should be carried out on all vehicles, machinery, tools, and equipment
• Electrical installation and maintenance should be performed by a licensed electrician
• Manual lifting hazards require the establishment and provision of good work practices, risk controls, lifting aids, instruction on lifting techniques
• Employees working at height should be made aware of hazards and risk management procedures, with provision of appropriate ladders, steps, handrails, fall prevention/arrest harnesses
• Workers should not use chemicals and pesticides without receiving the proper training
• Hearing protection should be provided to all workers when they are working in your farm workshop or where there is loud noise
• Masks and respirators should be provided for employees where dust is a hazard
• Procedures around workplace bullying, and sexual harassment must be a part of your farm’s WHS policy
• WHS policy should include requirements for employees and contractors not to work under the effect of drugs or alcohol
• WHS policy also should cover procedures for dealing with workplace disputes
• Appropriate PPE should be supplied to all workers

Emergency preparedness and response

Display the plan, including emergency telephone numbers, throughout your farm. Ensure a suitable percentage of workers are trained in first aid and ensure first aid kits are supplied in appropriate areas on your farm.

Fire safety equipment should be regularly maintained and a register of equipment such as extinguishers and fire blankets plus their location and service history should be kept.

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Injury management, rehabilitation and return to work

Your farm’s WHS policy should include arrangements where an employee has been injured for injury management, rehabilitation, and a return to work.

Workers’ compensation and personal accident insurance

Workers’ compensation arrangements should be maintained for all employees.