Opinion

Stay safe during National Farm Safety Week

By Allan Dingle, Queensland Farmers' Federation President
Updated July 21 2021 - 9:03am, first published 8:53am
Stay safe during National Farm Safety Week
Stay safe during National Farm Safety Week

Agriculture is one of the most dangerous sectors to work in due to the combination of hazards including heavy plant and machinery, chemicals, noise, dust, sun and heat exposure, working with animals, alone or in remote locations. According to Safework Australia, factors including long days, little sleep and multiple jobs contributed to 131 injuries and 58 fatalities on Australian farms in 2020. Weather events, family responsibilities, market fluctuations and natural disasters take their toll mentally, with suicide rates 50 per cent higher in rural communities compared to major cities.

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