AGRICULTURE Victoria and the Making our Farms Safer team from the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) recently delivered a farm safety workshop to Punjabi orchardists in Shepparton.
Agriculture Victoria horticulture industry development manager Angie Grills said Agriculture Victoria and the VFF are keen to promote farm safety to a broader farming audience.
"We are launching several videos interviewing members of the Punjabi community, sharing their journey to making their farming enterprises safer for everyone," Ms Grills said.
"As workplaces, horticulture properties can raise multiple safety challenges due to the complexity of their operations.
"On average two people are injured on Victorian farms every day, plus on–farm accidents make up 14 per cent of workplace fatalities despite employing only two per cent of working Victorians.
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"We have recorded interviews with three horticulture growers in the Goulburn Valley to ensure that safety in the industry is prioritised.
"We are hopeful these videos will encourage other growers in the sector to consider their current farm practices for the safety of their workers and families.
"In these videos, Punjabi orchardists talk about the actions they have taken to make their workplaces safe, including working with WorkSafe to complete audits and bringing their operations up to date."
Jasminder Kaur, who has been an orchardist near Shepparton since 1981, explains how technology and machinery has progressed over the years.
Ms Kaur said with machinery being faster and more powerful now, it is vital for everyone working on the orchard to understand and actively follow all safety instructions.
To view videos and see how the Victorian Government is prioritising farm safety, visit the website https://go.vic.gov.au/ucfDrS.
