The Allan Labor Government is putting workplace safety for agriculture workers first this National Farm Safety Week, with funding to provide free access to educational resources, aimed at equipping young people with farm safety knowledge.
Acting Minister for Agriculture Steve Dimopoulos today announced a $100,000 grant to the National Centre for Farmer Health to support the delivery of farm safety education in schools, teaching young people about the risks they are exposed to when visiting, living and working on farms.
Agriculture makes up two per cent of Victoria's workforce while having 14 per cent of workplace fatalities. In 2022/23 young people aged 15 to 19 comprised 6.3 per cent of total workplace injuries and 13.3 per cent of non-work related injuries on farms.
The 'Shifting Gears' teaching resource will provide educators with materials to facilitate meaningful discussions about farm safety within their classrooms. The resources have been funded through the Farming Safe and Well program and will be available for use from January 2025.
This initiative aligns with the theme of this year's National Farm Safety Week theme, 'In Safe Hands', which emphasises the importance of keeping our farmers and their families safe.
Throughout farm safety week, Farmsafe Australia will share practical safety tips from farmers to increase the safety of everyday tasks and foster a more safety focused farming culture.
The Labor Government's investment in 'Shifting Gears' follows the $900,000 provided to the National Centre for Farmer Health in the Victorian Budget 2024/25 for the delivery of agriculture-focused health and medical services, research, and education which will lead to direct benefits for farmers and their communities.
For more resources to support safety, health and wellbeing on farms, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au.
As stated by Acting Minister for Agriculture Steve Dimopoulos
'Through the National Centre for Farmer Health and Shifting Gears, we are empowering the next generation of farmers and agricultural professionals to prioritise safety in all aspects of their work.'
As stated by Member for Western Victoria Jacinta Ermacora
'Together we can ensure that our farmers and agricultural communities are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge needed to truly be in safe hands.'
Quote As put by National Centre for Farmer Health Senior Lecturer, Education Lead Dr Jacquie Cotton
'We are pleased to be able to expand our current suite teacher resources to enable even more farm safety discussions in the classroom. It's important that young people in agriculture can continue see themselves as having a role in continuing those safety conversations on farms, Shifting Gears brings those voices front and centre.'
