Dedicated to making farms safer
The safety and wellbeing of Victorian farming families is of paramount importance to the VFF. Picture: VFF
Since its inception in 1979, the Victorian Farmers Federation has been dedicated to improving the interests of farmers and rural communities. And more than 40 years on, it continues to deliver on its promise. The VFF is currently implementing its Making Our Farms Safer project, the latest of the lobby group’s initiatives. Creating a safe environment and workplace on all Victorian farms is now one of the organisation’s most crucial assignments. “It’s very important that we deliver this project,” senior farm safety adviser John Darcy said. “The agriculture industry had one of the highest rates of mortality in the last decade. We had way too many deaths on Victorian farms. “We want to improve the safety standard in the industry and improve the culture along the way.” Last year, WorkSafe Victoria released mortality figures which showcased the need for action. From 2010 to 2019, the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry made up almost a third of all workplace-
related deaths. In 2017, there were 14 deaths on farms#—#the highest number of farmrelated fatalities since 2004. The Making Our Farms Safer project is funded by Smarter, Safer Farms, a $20 million Victorian Government commitment to improve safety standards on farms. The funding has allowed the VFF to employ dedicated safety specialists to provide a range of services to farm businesses. The VFF program is focused on delivering the following outcomes: greater access to farm safety support and resources; higher level of awareness of the farm safety and wellbeing services provided by the VFF; greater understanding of farm safety and wellbeing, as well as farmers’ rights and responsibilities; and the use of improved farm safety practices by farmers, their workers and families. Mr Darcy and farm safety adviser
officer Richard Versteegen are both at the helm of the project. “The VFF is delivering the Making Our Farms Safer project, which is funded by the Victorian Government through the Smarter, Safer Farms commitment,” Mr Darcy said. “Myself and Richard spend three days a week at farms to do free safety checks and to guide farmers through safety guidelines. “The project started in October last
year and will run until July 2023. “So far we have visited over 100 farms all over Victoria. “We are providing free OHS (occupational health and safety) support for all farmers free of charge. “We have created safety manuals, checklists, handbooks as well as a monthly newsletter and we are in the process of creating a dedicated website.” If you wish to be involved, visit: vff.org.au/project/making-ourfarms-safer
Boarding at Scotch College Laying the foundations for their future Boarding at Scotch College provides boys with an education of the highest standard, combined with accommodation in a caring, well-equipped environment. Scotch has an outstanding reputation for the high standard of its academic programme and the wide range of its sporting, outdoor, and cultural activities. The boarding precinct is located within the College’s extensive 27 hectare grounds in Hawthorn, Victoria. The Scotch boarding lifestyle provides an integrated, comprehensive package for the education and development of each boy. For school tours, please visit the admissions page on: 777SCO
www.scotch.vic.edu.au
Scotch College 1 Morrison Street, Hawthorn VIC 3122 Australia Phone 1800 622 912 Email admissions@scotch.vic.edu.au
ELMORE FIELD DAYS @ HOME 2021
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