This week is national Farm Safety Week, a time to shine a light on the issues facing one of Australia’s highest risk industries.

In New South Wales alone, there were over 7,300 workers compensation claims from 2014/15 – 2016/17, which came at a cost of $167 million to the NSW workers compensation system.

From June 2014 to the same time this year, there were also 35 fatal incidents on NSW farms.

SafeWork NSW Executive Director, Tony Williams said the authorities are working alongside the agriculture sector and supply chain to help drive down the rate of fatalities.

“The farming sector is vital to the NSW economy, but with 99 per cent of NSW either in drought onset, drought watch or drought affected, SafeWork NSW is very mindful of the challenges farmers face,” Mr Williams said.

“Through our Agriculture Work Health and Safety Sector Plan, we are working with the agriculture sector to keep farmers, workers, and their families safe.

“We’re doing this by developing products and services that are simple, practical and affordable.”

Mr Williams said SafeWork NSW was implementing a number of initiatives that are having a positive impact on farm safety.

“Quad bikes are the leading cause of death on NSW farms and SafeWork NSW is leading the way both in NSW and nationally to improve quad bike safety,” he said.

“In 2018/19 SafeWork NSW will increase its investment in its successful Quad Bike Safety Improvement Program to $3.7 million.

“In fact, since its launch, farmers have invested more than $21.4 million dollars in safety improvements.”