With the Budget back in balance the Hodgman Liberal Government is investing $600,000 in the upcoming state Budget to make safety culture a permanent fixture on Tasmanian farms.
Our farming families and rural communities are our greatest asset and investing in our people is critical if we are to grow the value of agriculture to $10 billion by 2050.
The farm is also a unique work environment, where family homes are often part of the workplace.
Since 2015 the Government’s Safe Farming Tasmania Program has been changing the culture on the farm, to one where the safety of workers is always the number one priority.
A dedicated farm safety consultant has been working with industry groups and farmers in a supportive manner to raise awareness of workplace health and safety to reduce the rate of workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities that occur in Tasmania’s rural industries.
Feedback from farmers is that this program is starting to have a positive impact. It has been a very successful partnership raising awareness of farm safety issues, encouraging discussions, changing behaviours and providing farmers with the practical tools they need to improve on-farm work health and safety.
The four year funding of $600,000 means the program and the delivery of practical safety assistance on-farm, will continue on an ongoing basis.
Safe Farming Tasmania is a joint initiative of Work Safe Tasmania and the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE) and is supported by a reference group comprising key industry stakeholders.
For more information go to the DPIPWE website: http://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/agriculture/government-and-community-programs/safe-farming-tasmania
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