Mission to make farms safer for children in farming families

Parents should always supervise children when working on the farm. Pictured is Peter Thompson and son Luke in the workshop on their farm at Manangatang. Photo: Supplied.

This is branded content for The Victorian Farmers Federation

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) Making Our Farms Safer Project (MOFS) has spearheaded a new campaign with the mission of reducing incidents and mitigating risks for children on farms.

The 'Making Our Farm Families Safer' campaign launched last month, coinciding with the National Farm Safety Week, and aims to improve public awareness around the heightened risks farming families face in the agricultural industry.

The campaign includes a dedicated safety guidebook that is available to farming families via a free downloadable PDF on their website. It includes important protocols that should be implemented, to help farmers distinguish safe boundaries between home and workplace, and keep children safe.

"The Australian agriculture industry sadly represents the highest proportion of accidents causing death in any workplace, with children tragically making up one quarter of these numbers," said Emma Germano, President of the Victorian Farmers Federation.

"We need to do all we can as an industry to ensure no one has to endure the heartbreak, and loss from losing a child to an on-farm accident."

The Kinnersly family, sheep and cropping farmers from Tourello, share their farm safety story in the campaign. Photo: Supplied.

The campaign and guidebook were created in response to confronting findings made by a coronial inquiry in 2021. In the six years from 1 January 2016 to 21 December 2021, seven children died in Victoria using farm machinery.

"I encourage all farmers to familiarise themselves with the Making Our Farm Families Safer campaign and guidebook, this is the most important issue for farming families," said Ms Germano.

The Victorian Farmer Federations Making our Farms Safer Project is funded by the Victorian Government's Smarter, Safer Farms Commitment, and aims to educate and support farmers, while bringing about better safety and skills outcomes.

The agricultural industry differs greatly from other industries, in that farming families work where they live. Children in working families are often involved in the farming operations, helping parents and learning how to undertake daily tasks.

This is where the increased risk factors come into play, and create the need for additional support and information.

The Child Safety On Farms guidebook was created by the Victorian Farmers Federation in collaboration with associate professor Warwick Teague, the Transport Accident Commission, FarmSafe Australia, Worksafe Victoria, Agriculture Victoria and Kidsafe Victoria - it is extremely well informed.

The campaign will continue until June 2023 and will harness the power of multiple resources to get the safety message across. It includes social media messaging, videos, written case studies and a soon to be released podcast.

You can follow the Making Our Farm Families Safer campaign across all VFF MOFS social media platforms or download a free copy of the guidebook at www.makingourfarmssafer.org.au

This is branded content for The Victorian Farmers Federation