STAYING SAFE ON FARMS DURING SUMMER
Ahead of the summer holidays, the NSW Government has issued a reminder of the risks of life on rural and farming properties for visiting friends and families.
Minister for Better Regulation Kevin Anderson has reminded those who will be working on or visiting a farm over the summer holidays to be mindful of the dangers of life on a working property, including heavy machinery, vehicles and chemicals.
“Many of us will be heading to a farm for the holidays so it’s important to remember they never stop being a workplace, and there are plenty of things that can go wrong if you’re not careful,” Mr Anderson said.
Mr Anderson said the safety warning had been triggered by two recent side-by-side vehicle accidents where passengers were injured or killed.
“The safety message is simple: when you get into a side-by-side vehicle, put your seatbelt on, wear a helmet and observe passenger limits and never, ever carry passengers in the rear cargo tray,” Mr Anderson said.
“Farm vehicles are not toys, they are powerful pieces of machinery that can be extremely dangerous when not used safely. If there’s an accident, anyone not safely secured inside the vehicle by a seatbelt will not be protected from serious or fatal injuries.”
Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall said it has been a challenging year for farmers and that everyone deserved a safe and happy Christmas break.
“We know our loved ones will be visiting farms all across the State to spend time with family and friends and I encourage everyone to vigilant about potential on-farm hazards,” Mr Marshall said.
“Our farmers do an incredible job, but mistakes do happen, so we ask everyone to play their part and take extra care to ensure a safe and happy holiday.”
For more information on quad bike and side-by-side vehicle safety, visit the SafeWork NSW website.
