Ausveg, the national body representing Australia's vegetable, potato, and onion growers, has expressed support for National Farm Safety Week, which begins on Sunday, July 20. This year's campaign, titled "Second Chances – Who Knows How Many You'll Get?", focuses on encouraging those working in agriculture to avoid taking risks or shortcuts that could compromise safety. The campaign highlights that while risky practices may not always result in immediate harm, consequences can be severe when they do occur.
© AUSVEG
In the vegetable sector, safety remains a critical issue, with workers frequently operating in proximity to heavy machinery in fields, packing facilities, and processing plants. Ensuring a safe working environment is considered essential for minimizing risks. Ausveg Chief Executive Officer Michael Coote stated that farm safety must be prioritized across the industry. "Vegetable growers and industry workers need to know they can return home safely at the end of the day," he said. "Achieving that requires a consistent focus on safety."
Coote also addressed the broader impact of workplace incidents, noting the mental health challenges that can follow injuries or fatalities on farms. Ausveg's internal sentiment surveys have identified mental health concerns as a contributing factor in some growers' decisions to leave the industry.
Initiatives aimed at reducing both physical injuries and mental health pressures are viewed as key steps toward supporting farm workers. The organization considers safety on farms a standing concern beyond the scope of the designated awareness week. National Farm Safety Week will feature a week-long media and social media campaign, presenting different messages each day. Ausveg has indicated it will assist in distributing these messages across its network.
For more information:
AUSVEG
Tel: +61 (0) 3 9882 0277
Email: [email protected]
www.ausveg.com.au
