What does Farm Safety mean to most?
Everyone has a slightly different response but all want to do better. Because doing better, means a safer workplace for all, and this means everyone gets to go home at the end of the day.
What changes are we seeing in the industry? Acceptance.
5 years ago there was much more pushback and plenty of heads in the sand, but over the years, with hard work and education, the industry is changing for the better.
At Safe Ag Systems we believe that small changes have a big impact.
Have you ever done something small daily that turned into a habit? Consider a goal you have in mind. Something you know you should be doing or would leave you feeling accomplished if you achieve it.
You may do it unknowingly but imagine setting a small goal that your workers can easily achieve, like logging into a piece of software, ie, a task manager, and asking them to do that each day to track their tasks.
Once you make it easy for them to do, with a little encouragement or reward, they begin to do it without reminders.
Safe Ag Systems are helping many achieve their goals. Whether it’s learning how to do something more efficiently or improving the culture in the workplace, the impact our software is having on agribusinesses is inspiring.
The words 'Farm Safety' can mean something different for every farmer. We asked 5 people working in agriculture, and this is what they had to say.
Mike Knudsen - Infinity Farms
Why is farm safety important to you?
As an important part of my role, I am committed to assisting the management team in ensuring safety and supporting on-farm activities, thereby ensuring that all employees can confidently come to work, knowing they will have a safe and positive environment
What changes have you seen happen lately when it comes to farm safety?
A much-improved acceptance of our safety system. We use Safe Ag Systems and usage is up with log on’s, Checklists, Safe Work Procedures, logging tasks & fixes. It's changing our culture.
Change doesn't happen overnight. Kirby (from Safe Ag Systems) believes that it only takes 1% each day to create positive change in safety.
1% more than the day before. What's your 1%?
Getting our employees using Safe Ag Systems. It puts safety at the forefront every morning. That’s why I wanted this system from the first time I was shown. Over the last 12 months we put a real focus on log on’s, Checklist’s and Safe Work Procedures (as mentioned above) and we are nearly there!
How has Safe Ag Systems assisted with farm safety?
It has given the management team the tools to change the safety culture through its workability, backup and ongoing improvements. Compliance will be our focus going forward, making ongoing improvements to our procedures & processes which include regularly reviewing existing documents and creating new ones when required.
Josh Opas - McCain
Why is farm safety important to you?
Safety comes first for everything we do at McCain. Farmers are an integral part of McCain’s supply chain and so it makes sense that we concern ourselves with Farm safety. One of the primary mandates of the McCain Agriculture Teams is to manage supply/grower relationships, which requires us to regularly visit farms. Therefore, the safety on these farms directly impacts our staff.
What changes have you seen happen lately when it comes to farm safety?
A lot more focus industry wise as many growers now recognise the importance of safety, especially with the number of seasonal contractors they employ.
1% more than the day before. What's your 1%?
At the start of every internal meeting at McCain we start with a safety moment where somebody will talk about how a safety interaction, either at work or personally, has impacted them and learnings.
How has Safe Ag Systems assisted with farm safety?
It's been great for education, processes and procedures for our farmers.
Jacob McNeil - Safe-T Consultants
Why is farm safety important to you?
So everyone goes home safe at the end of the day. Everybody has someone who loves them and it's important you go home for that person.
What changes have you seen happen lately when it comes to farm safety?
I believe the digitisation of systems like Safe Ag Systems is starting to change the culture and stigma of safety in agriculture. The way technology is going it's making it easier for farmers, and that is improving safety in my mind.
1% more than the day before. What's your 1%?
Personalise it. Don’t make safety really broad. Get the legislation, learn it and apply it to the business individually.
How has Safe Ag Systems assisted with farm safety?
Used on the business farm. Having everything in the system is great. All in one place and available.
Ash Wadsworth and one of her dairy cows at the beach
Ash Wadsworth - Aringa Park, Prime Value
Why is farm safety important to you?
The main thing is that I want everyone to return home at the end of the day. And, everyone to have a long career. Farm safety isn’t only important for not only your staff, for your business and everybody included.
Farm safety is important not just for but also for the success of your business and everyone involved.
What changes have you seen happen lately when it comes to farm safety?
On our farm personally, it would be the Safe Ag Systems app. It's been the best thing that's ever been introduced. Everything is there, it's accessible. You can do it from anywhere.
1% more than the day before. What's your 1%?
Reminders are part of our everyday routine and always lead by example. Communication and honesty help create a positive safety culture with our workers. A little bit of praise goes a long way. Making safety feel positive and fun, gets our workers engaged.
How has Safe Ag Systems assisted with farm safety?
It’s been amazing, it raises awareness. Whenever you mention Safe Ag Systems to people, it mentions safety and gets conversations going. The app makes everyone responsible for their own actions.
Kirby with farmer Al Gabb on Safe Ag Systems
Kirby Richmond-Davis - Safe Ag Systems
Why is farm safety important to you?
I live in work in a small rural farming community. Whenever you hear of an incident or accident it just breaks your heart. So farm safety is important to me so that everyone is home after work, just like they should be with their loved ones.
From a personal perspective, I have a father who always ran by the "do as I say, not as I do" teaching method. And was always getting injured in one way or another. So I have seen what can go wrong first-hand. It's not fun!
What changes have you seen happen lately when it comes to farm safety?
I've seen lots of farmers be prepared to talk about safety. 5 years ago it was like pulling teeth. Don't get me wrong, depending on the person it still can be. But I have seen the generational move towards safety-first mentality. I'm sure proud to be a part of it.
1% more than the day before. What's your 1%?
Lead by example and share tips! I'm always being asked how others manage safety. I suppose they know I'm speaking with many farmers... but imagine if all farmers shared their safety tips! There are so many brilliant ones out there.
How has Safe Ag Systems assisted with farm safety?
From a high-level perspective, it's helped with the conversation of safety on farms and getting it started with teams, contractors, and visitors. It's not a taboo conversation any more and I truly believe we at Safe Ag Systems are creating that change!
So how do they compare?
Despite working in diverse commodities, regions, and holding differing opinions, these five people share a unifying message.
Everyone on farm deserves to return home safely to their loved ones.
We express our gratitude to our special guests who have wholeheartedly contributed to positive changes within the farming community. Their dedication and positive attitudes have played a vital role in fostering open discussions about safety issues on farms and encouraging growers, farmers, and workers to consider various safety options. As a result, we have seen a notable increase in willingness to address safety concerns and explore effective solutions.
They have all discovered 'leading by example' is a crucial step in creating a positive workplace culture. Communicating, encouraging and educating your workers helps them to feel safer and more supported at work.
While we support businesses with their WHS and compliance requirements, our program has also proven useful in educating everyone about safety on farm.
Safe Ag Systems provides the tool to help our Clients and Industry leaders to create a positive change in their daily habits, from the moment they step foot onto the farm to the moment they head home.
Disclaimer: Content on this website may be of relevance to users outside of Australia, but content links and examples are specific to Australia. Please check with your local authority for your country and industry requirements.
