Palaszczuk Government launches agricultural safety campaign

Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace and Agricultural Minister Leanne Donaldson today launched an ad safety campaign to tackle high injury and death rates in the agriculture industry. 

Ms Grace said Queensland Safety Ambassador Shane Webcke – who lost his father in a farm accident - would feature in the ad campaign now running on radio and social media, in print and online. 

“The death and injury rate in the agriculture industry is disproportionally higher than it is in other industries,” she said. 

“Only three per cent of Queenslanders work on farms, yet nearly 30 per cent of workplace deaths occur on them. 

“There are around 13 workers who lose their lives in the agriculture industry each year, with a further 1,700 injured on the job. 

“It’s because of these figures that we’re running this campaign to spread the message that workplace deaths and serious injuries are preventable. 

"If employers and workers take a few extra seconds to stop and think about the risks, they may well prevent another tragic death.”

Minister Donaldson said it was important for everyone involved in the sector to make safety a priority. 

“Farms are hazardous places and sadly the statistics show that when accidents occur on farms they are more likely than in other workplaces to be fatal or serious. 

“This campaign recognizes that changes in behavior and greater awareness of risk can make a difference. 

“For example, wearing the correct safety equipment and maintaining and using farm machinery correctly can significantly reduce the chances of injury or death,” the Minister said. 

For more information, visit worksafe.qld.gov.au or call 1300 362 128. 

Media Contact: Minister Grace’s Office Martin Philip 0427 919 548

                         Minister Donaldson’s Office Adrian Taylor 0448 994 172