Last chance for farm safety honours

Victorian farmers have just a few days left to share their stories and be celebrated for being a workplace safety champion.

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Nominations will close soon for the 2021 WorkSafe Awards, which for the first time include a category dedicated to recognising individuals and businesses that have made a significant difference to health and safety on farms.

Agriculture remains one of the state's most dangerous industries, with 24 people dying as a result of on-farm workplace incidents in the past three years.

Last year alone, 424 people working in agriculture were injured seriously enough to make a worker's compensation claim.

WorkSafe recently launched a confronting new campaign to challenge 'bulletproof' attitudes among farmers and agriculture workers, and Chief Executive Colin Radford said it's pleasing to be able to celebrate those in the industry taking a safety-first approach.

"The new award category acknowledges the importance of farmers and others working in agriculture who are leading the way in health and safety and setting an example in their industry," Mr Radford said.

"These workplaces continue to be over represented in both serious injuries and fatalities and this is another way for WorkSafe to engage with the industry as we look to shift attitudes around farm safety."

On top of the recognition, the winner of the inaugural Commitment to Workplace Health and Safety on a Farm award will receive $2000.

The other categories for this year's WorkSafe Awards are:

  • Health and Safety Representative of the Year
  • Workplace Health and Safety Solution of the Year
  • Worker Return to Work Achievement
  • Leading Return to Work Practice
  • OHS Leadership/Achievement
  • Commitment to Prevention of Mental Injury in the Workplace

Winners will be announced in October during WorkSafe's annual Health and Safety Month.