Farm safety calendar competition drawing to a close

Primary school students in rural and regional Queensland are reminded to enter the Queensland farm safety calendar competition before it closes on 29 June.

Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said the annual drawing competition and calendar helped raise awareness about the hazards on farms and rural properties.

“This competition gets youngsters thinking about dangers around the farm,” Ms Grace said.

“The winning entries are then selected to be featured in a farm safety calendar, which helps to remind Queenslanders of all ages to work and play safely on the land.

“Sadly, around 20 Australian children lose their lives in farms accidents every year and many more are hospitalised with injuries.

“The calendar competition is an engaging and informative way to get our future farmers thinking about the extra care needed around the farm.”

Ms Grace said budding young artists can use their imaginations and drawing talents to bring attention to a range of farm and safety issues.

“Students can choose to illustrate issues such as quad bike safety, being sun safe, animal handling and swimming in dams and creeks,” she said.

“The 12 winning entrants will not only have the honour of having their picture illustrate a month in the 2019 calendar, they also receive a $250 voucher for themselves and a $500 voucher for their school.”

Entries in the 2019 Workplace Health and Safety Queensland farm safety calendar competition must be lodged online by 29 June.

Winners will be announced in October, with the next edition of the calendar distributed soon after.

Details on how to enter the competition and previous winning entries are available at worksafe.qld.gov.au

A full list of safety topics to illustrate can be found below.

Media contact: Emma Carey 0439 578 472

Farm safety calendar – topics

Quad bikes, motorbikes and machinery

o   Look out for machinery and vehicles as the driver may not see you.

o   Quad bikes are a great tool, but they are not a toy. Ride ready – wear a helmet, never double, kids only use a kid-sized bike and stick to well-known tracks.

o   Look up and live – powerlines and machinery don’t mix.

Animal handling

o   Animals can give diseases to people. Always wash your hands after touching them.

o   Cattle can be unpredictable and dangerous. Keep well clear if you are unfamiliar with them.

o   When a horse gets a fright, they can become dangerous. Only ride horses that you have the experience to handle and always wear a helmet.

Sun safety and healthy lifestyle

o   A healthy lifestyle means eating properly, exercising and getting plenty of sleep.

o   Take regular breaks in the shade and drink lots of water when you’re working outside.

o   Protect yourself from the sun. Always wear a hat, long sleeves and sunscreen.

Kids on farms

o   Swimming in dams and rivers is fun, but always have an adult there to supervise.

o   Stay clear of flood water – it moves fast and can hide logs, barbed wire and other hazards.

o   A fenced yard for young kids and toddlers to play in will keep them away from many farm dangers.

o   Make sure an adult always knows where you’re going and what you’ll be doing on the farm.