SafeWork NSW is urging farmers and rural businesses to take practical steps to keep visitors to farms safe during the summer school holidays by restricting access to dangerous machinery and other hazardous risks.
With many farms and rural properties also the location of the family home, business managers should warn all visitors and especially children of dangerous ‘no go zones’, including higher-risk hazards like silos, chemicals and workshops, animals, quad bikes, electrical and water hazards.
To make sure visitors are aware of specific dangers, SafeWork recommends compiling a list of farm safety rules specific for visitors to keep them safe.
There are a number of easy tasks you can perform before visitors arrive, including:
- Identifying ‘no go’ areas to keep visitors away from working areas of the farm
- make sure visitors know to stay out of fenced areas and away from livestock which are unpredictable
- store plant, equipment, tools and chemicals securely and remove the keys from quad bikes, side-by side vehicles (SSV) and tractors
- don’t let quad bikes, SSV’s or tractors be used for rides
- make sure all passengers in SSV’s wear a seat belt and never carry passengers in the rear cargo tray
- never allow a child under 16 on an adult sized quad bike and never allow passengers
- ensure all guards are fitted to power take offs or PTO’s, augers and other equipment
- cover voids, pits and other falls risks
- empty water drums and alert visitors to dams, water courses and other drowning hazards
- ensure silo ladders and top hatch access is locked
- ensure all confined spaces, like tanks and silos are not accessible
- set up safe delivery areas to load and unload livestock or product that separates people and vehicles
- supervise children at all times – especially around machinery, dams and sheds.
Get more information and safety tips relating to farming and seasonal safety.
Head of SafeWork NSW Trent Curtin said:
“Preparing for Christmas can be a busy time. It is important to remember that you may have visitors at your workplace or for visiting for agritourism during this period.
“No matter who is visiting the property, farmers are in control of a dangerous workplace and have responsibilities under Work Health and Safety regulations. If you can’t remove a hazard completely, then remove people from the area where the hazard is in order to keep everyone safe during the Christmas break.”
NSW Farmers Dubbo Brand chair Tracy Blackburn said:
“Farms aren’t just homes, they’re workplaces that need to be treated with respect. If you’re going to be visiting a farm, take the time to have a conversation about some of the potential safety risks such as dams, livestock, and vehicles and with a few safety precautions, you will make sure everyone has a happy and safe Christmas.”
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