Webcke supports ag safety campaign

Around 13 Queensland agriculture workers die each year as a result of a workplace incident and 1700 are injured – affecting one in every 25 agriculture workers.

And every week 17 agricultural workers are injured seriously enough to need at least a week off work.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is focusing on reducing these unacceptable statistics through a new safety campaign.

The campaign is supported by Queensland Work Safety Ambassador Shane Webcke.

Shane lost his father in a workplace incident so he knows firsthand how important health and safety is in the agriculture industry – he grew up on the land and today runs his own property.

“If you work on the land, please stop and think about doing your job safely. Because those few seconds could save your life - and your livelihood.”

Farm deaths are preventable. The campaign aims to increase agricultural employers and workers’ awareness of the over-representation of worker deaths and injuries among those who make their living off the land.

Follow the web link below to download or request a copy of the “Serious about farm safety” guide.

The guide assists small to medium sized agricultural businesses to develop a system to manage health and safety risks around the farm and other agricultural workplaces.

A simple health and safety system will reduce the risk of workplace injuries and can help to reduce your workers’ compensation premium.

All business owners and employers are required to provide a safe workplace for workers and visitors. This guide will help you cut through the complexities of work health and safety regulation and compliance.

Workplace health and safety policies and procedures should form the framework of a health and safety system. This guide provides useful information and a series of simple templates to help you set up your own safety system.

For more information and to get involved, visit worksafe.qld.gov.au/agsafetycampaign or call 1300 362 128.