FREE Farm Safety Resources
There are so many free, helpful resources available online for farmers to help you with your safety arrangements.
Farmsafe Australia
Farmsafe resources are based on extensive farmer research through the Centre for Ag Health & Safety (AgHealth) and the University of Sydney
Farmsafe - Resources for Farmers
AgHealth Australia
Ag Health Website
Ag Health - Farmer Resources
Ag Health - Farm Health Safety Promotion
Safework SA
Regulator links
Safework SA - Agriculture/Horticulture/Farming
Farmers Guidebook
Safework SA wrote the Farmers Guidebook in consultation with industry to help farmers navigate safety requirements
Farmers Guidebook
Dairy Australia
Dairy has done extensive work on supplying farm safety resources specific to Dairy farmers. But like all safety resources, much of it is still relevant to all farming businesses
Dairy Australia - Farm Safety
The People in Dairy - Farm Safety Manual
Online Induction
Online inductions can be helpful especially for inexperienced workers or backpackers as a first step induction. Unless you have an online induction specifically written for your business, I don't think they totally replace the need for a 'site' induction, but they do allow you to get the basics out of the way via the online platform
1. Farmsafe have a free online induction
Induction - Farmsafe
2. Grain Producers Australia
This generic Ag Induction is an excellent first step for a new worker induction, especially if the worker is new to agriculture, a seasonal worker or a backpacker.
3. Rural Property Induction is largely livestock based (mainly cattle), but also addresses the basics of machinery, chemical, fatigue and other farm safety topics.
Rural Property Induction
Australian Wool Innovation (AWI)
AWI have some great shearing and wool handling resources
AWI - Wool Harvesting and Quality Preparation
Chemical Acccreditation
Regardless of whether you call it Chemcert or Chemical Accreditation, the
courses farmers undertake for standard chemical applications are these:
- Prepare and apply chemicals
- Transport and store chemicals
National Heavy Vehicle Regulator
As of July 2018, for most states in Australia, the Chain of Responsibility will be further enforced into a model that follows Work, Health & Safety Law (WHS), not just the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).
If you are not accredited and are running general mass limits for your farm truck, then you need to organise yourself with a safety management system or upgrade your old one.
The NHVR have established a DIY Safety Management System for you to use here:
NHVR - Safety Management Systems-SMS
Safety Signage
Don't go overboard with the signage but communicate clearly where everything is. I have found National Safety Signs hassle free for ordering safety signage online
Website - National Safety Signs
Industrial Relations and Employing People
The People in Ag
This is a fantastic website to help farmers of all persuasions employ people. It covers everything you need to know and provides templates to use.
- Planning for New Employees on Your Farm
- Award Rates, Work Agreements and Pay Entitlements
- Rights and Responsibilities as an Employer
- Workplace Training and Development
and more
Website - People in Ag
Mediation and Employment Relations Service (MERS)
MERS is a South Australian business that offers professional services to employers in managing their workforce.
They offer a discount to Grain Producers SA and Livestock SA members and also contributed their volunteer time to the establishment of the Farmers Guidebook.
MERS have a page of facts specific to farms at:
Website - MERS