"Safety is everyone's responsibility" Occupational Health & Safety is a major issue for Australian agriculture. Work related injuries, payouts and fines threaten the viability of an industry already struggling to contain costs and retain qualified staff. Fresh vegetables are supplied on very tight timelines, often under harsh and repetitive working conditions. This coupled with high worker turnover rates, increases the risk of workplace accidents. The results of these accidents are often severe and irreversible. The vegetable industry reports over 13,000 hours in lost time injuries each year. A person is fatally injured on an Australian farm every 3 days. 10-14 people are killed on Victorian farms each year. The Victorian OH&S Act (2004) requires that employers: maintain a safe work environment for your workers, contractors and visitors and not expose other persons to risks to their health and safety from your activities. inform, train and supervise your workers and contractors to ensure they can work safely and without health risks. workers also have entitlements to compensation and rehabilitation. notify WorkSafe Victoria immediately on 132 360 of any workplace death or serious injury, or any incident that could have caused death or serious injury. While there has been a continuing improvement over the last 10 years, there are still far too many workplace accidents. Increased civil and criminal culpability for those found blameworthy has made effective OH&S training and workplace risk management an essential part of every business. Further Information: Traumatic deaths in Australian agriculture, RIRDC - 2007 (pdf, 687k) Health and safety of older farmers in Australia, RIRDC - 2007 (pdf, 778k) OH&S risks in Horticulture, RIRDC - 2005 (pdf, 1960k) Creating Safer Workplaces HortiSafe™ provides an OH&S training package developed specifically for the Australian vegetable industry. Training is available as; Hard copy - DVD & Booklets - deliverable on farm by your staff. Includes trainer's guide, worker's manual and worker's assessment booklet. Online - accessible from any internet ready computer. There are currently four HortiSafe™ courses available; Induction Tractor Safety Safety with Following Implements PTO Safety New workers will learn about farm safety ... perhaps for the very first time. Experienced workers will value a refresher on farm safety issues. HortiSafe™ will soon be available in Vietnamese and Cambodian language editions as well as English. The bottom line is about raising awareness of farm safety issues and giving everyone an understanding of how they can help create and maintain a safer workplace for everyone For more information or to place your order now visit;        http://www.hortisafe.com.au or call 03 9809 9000

Plant protection products have delivered great benefits to Victorian vegetable growers but misuse of these products could cause problems with neighbours, the environment, people and animal health and export trade. All users of plant protection products in Australia must be able to demonstrate they can use these products Safely and Effectively.   A 2 day Farm Chemical User Course provides this qualification. In addition, Victorian growers require an Agricultural Chemical Users Permit (ACUP), to purchase or apply ‘restricted use’ agricultural chemical products. All growers need to keep up to date with changes in legislation, labelling and safe work practices and many QA auditors will ask growers to complete a ½ day ‘refresher’ course every 5 years. This training is available through many providers including CHEMCERT, DPI-Vic AGTRAIN and local TAFE colleges.

A licence to perform high risk work is now required by people working with plant and equipment considered to be high risk. From 1 July 2008, all forklift operators working in primary production and forestry operations will also require a Licence to Perform High Risk Work. To apply for a licence first time applicants should contact an authorised license assessor to book in for an assessment. Applicants who already hold a certificate of competency or “ticket” should now register online to transfer to the new licence before their certificate of competency expires. Existing certificates are scheduled to expire over a 5 year transition period, and you must transfer to the new licence before your current certificate expires. A licence will be issued for five years and is valid in every Australian state and territory, enabling people to operate high risk equipment under consistent standards everywhere in Australia.