First steps to farm safety

Last updated: 03 December 2024

Farms are unique workplaces. The combination of hazards and the nature of the work makes agriculture one of the most dangerous sectors in which to work. This guide, also available in Simplified Chinese and Vietnamese language, provides farmers with a foundation for establishing good safety practices on your farm. The checklists in this guide are not extensive and cover key points to get started.

Download the guide

When you work on the farm every day, you know what you have to do to get the job done. Farmers are practical and more often than not, find a way to solve a problem. Everything keeps going, perhaps until the day it doesn’t, or someone less familiar with your vehicle, machine, equipment or animals tries to get your solutions to work for them. Good risk management not only protects yourself and your workers, but it also ensures that your business doesn’t stop.

Plant and machinery

Working at height

Machinery and guarding

Electrical hazards

Hazardous chemicals

Visitor safety

Notifying incidents to WorkSafe

Call 1800 678 198 to report a workplace related death, a serious injury or illness, or a dangerous incident that is currently life-threatening.

These incidents must all be reported to WorkSafe immediately after the PCBU becomes aware of the incident. Urgent medical assistance where required should be sought prior to contacting WorkSafe. After phoning through the report, use the links below if you need to notify online.

There is a duty to preserve the scene so far as reasonably practicable.