Agriculture safety learning network

Bringing farmers and experts together

Two agri-organisations were funded to each develop a safety learning network tailored to their sub-industry and/or focus region. The networks improved safety on farms through collaboration with farmers and practical action.

Safer farms, families, futures network

ORM Pty Ltd worked with grain growers in the Wimmera/Mallee region to identify, test and demonstrate effective methods, models and tools to improve health and safety practices.

The network operated with 2 core streams:

• Peer-to-peer learning group (P2P): 14 businesses participated in 5 peer-to-peer events to support improved work health safety practices and develop a more proactive, prevention-focused farm safety culture. Birchip Cropping Group supported the event delivery.
• Community-based behavioural science (CBBS): Designed and tested the implementation and impact of a safety-related community-based behavioural change intervention with individual grain farmers.

The participants addressed the key issues they were facing on farms:

• developing induction processes
• establishing policies and procedures to support safety
• implementing the hierarchy of control to manage risks
• signage for risks and hazards – identification on-farm
• emergency management protocols.

Key outcomes

Participants:

• improved, formalised or updated induction processes
• implemented workplace policies to set performance expectations
• reviewed potential occupational health and safety (OHS) risks on-farm
• held workforce consultation about safety on-farm
• held more regular staff meetings focused on safety
• implemented emergency response procedures
• introduced incident or near-miss reporting
• implemented farm machinery maintenance records
• improved procedures for operating augers and seeding machinery
• improved infrastructure including building new chemical sheds, new/improved staff amenities and re-engineered sheep yards to fix gateways and loading ramps.

Victorian fresh produce network

Velisha Education Group worked with farmers in the horticulture industry to enhance farm safety by fostering a collaborative grower network. They identified enablers and barriers, developed targeted initiatives and drove changes in safety practices.

By equipping farmers with knowledge and tools to improve safety practices, the network aimed to reduce workplace injuries and deaths in the fresh produce sector. The network engaged directly with 12 farms across 4 Victorian growing regions and shifted mindsets and behaviours toward improved risk management.

Key outcomes

• New or improved safe work system/s implemented on each participating farm, which included traffic management, safe planting and picking operations, noise management and induction processes.
• Farm owners and managers demonstrated significant positive changes, including:
  • increased awareness of OHS requirements
  • shift in attitudes to prioritise safety, starting at the leadership level
  • more proactive approach to consulting staff on safety issues
  • better integration of safety into daily farm operations, including safety topics as a regular agenda item in staff meetings
  • adoption of new communication tools like safety videos
  • adoption of new safety practices across different hazards
  • improved risk management
  • a more collaborative environment where employees can voice safety concerns.

The pilot made progress in strengthening industry partnerships and shifting management attitudes and behaviours - laying the foundation for an improved safety culture.