The partnership is funded by AgriFutures Australia, Grains Research and Development Corporation, Australian Meat Processor Association, Meat & Livestock Australia and the Cotton Research and Development Corporation.

Objectives

It is well recognised that the effective management of all risks, including work health and safety (WHS), are necessary for the future sustainability of primary industries.

In continuing support of this, the PIHSP 2013–2017 Plan builds on the Collaborative Partnership for Farming and Fishing Health and Safety Four Year Plan 2008–2012. The plan aims to:

• Improve physical and mental wellbeing
• Improve consultation and communication
• Drive change on-farm and across the sector by developing resources including WHS Manuals and initiatives such as the Farm Safety Video competition.

Rationale

Farms can be dangerous places. Machinery and farm vehicles, animal handling, chemical use and water on-farm present a range of hazards.

Although there have been significant improvements in WHS, agriculture, forestry and fishing collectively recorded the highest fatality rates of any industry in 2010–2011 with 17.64 deaths per 100,000 workers.

This is nine times the overall fatality rate of 1.93 deaths per 100,000 workers. In absolute terms, of 62 worker fatalities recorded in 2010–2011 across the primary industries, agriculture accounted for 48 of these, equating to a fatality rate of 15.65 deaths/100,000 workers.

In response, the Primary Industries Health and Safety Partnership (PIHSP) undertakes RD&E activities focused on the physical and mental health and safety of farming families, including those working in the fishing industry.

A key outcome of this program is improving the physical and mental wellbeing of these groups. The program will also improve consultation and communication with health professionals and researchers working in the field of rural health and safety.

The PIHSP 2013-2017 Plan sets out the objectives and accompanying strategies for RD&E under the program.

Work Health and Safety manuals

The Primary Industries Health and Safety Partnership (PIHSP) funds the development of best practice resources to help those working in the beef, sheep and wool industries to implement effective work health and safety (WHS) systems for their businesses.

Including a series of standalone guides, registers and checklists, the resources help producers:

• Understand, assess and monitor the safety risks on their farms
• Understand and meet their legal safety responsibilities
• Build safety plans specific to their farm business
• Induct new workers
• Maintain records to improve farm safety
• Make continuous improvements to farm safety.

While these resources are targeted at beef, sheep and wool producers, some checklists and registers may also be of value to primary producers in other industries.

Compiled by the Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety and supported by funds from several Research & Development Corporations, these resources are based on more than two decades of discussion and feedback from primary producers.

Contact

Jennifer Medway
Program Manager, Research & Innovation
0458 785 905
jennifer.medway@agrifutures.com.au