Managing farm safety doesn’t have to be a burden, according to the Victorian Farmers Federation, which operates a new free website designed to offer employers the tools, education and support to meet occupational health and safety requirements.
VFF president Emma Germano said the website launched on January 31 would complement the Making Our Farms Safer project, which has been ongoing since April 2020.
“Keeping ourselves, our family members and employees safe on our farms is of the most crucial importance in our businesses,” Ms Germano said.
The website aims to act as a “one-stop information hub” for farm safety information and is free to access for VFF members and non-members alike.
“We are fortunate to be providing this free service to not only VFF members, but to all Victorian farmers as part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to address safety and skill development in the agricultural sector,” Ms Germano said.
It provides dedicated safety specialists offering support, education and guidance for Victorian farmers.
To date, the program has been delivered through farm visits, community meetings, a monthly newsletter and a toolkit of handbooks and resources.
All program content is dedicated to assisting and educating farmers on implementing and maintaining safety on their farms.
VFF senior farm safety advisor John Darcy said he and colleague Richard Versteegen were willing to travel to any farm in Victoria to offer their expertise.
“We are 100 per cent committed to making our industry safer,” Mr Darcy said.
“We want to be the best, most trusted source in the industry. We want to provide farmers with a positive, educational and constructive process.”
For more information, visit the Making Our Farms Safer website at makingourfarmssafer.org.au
To get in touch with a VFF farm safety advisor, phone 1300 882 833 or email mofs@vff.org.au