A tradition of self-reliance inside the Western Australian agricultural business is more likely to have led to huge under-reporting of significant accidents, an inquiry has discovered.
Some within the business consider they are not topic to work well being and security laws and that farming is a lifestyle not a business, in keeping with the findings.
The report back to the Worksafe Commissioner follows an unbiased inquiry into the agricultural business after 12 employees died on the job within the 12 months to June 2022.
“Each death is a tragedy in itself and in its effect on loved ones, communities and businesses,” former chief industrial relations commissioner Pamela Scott mentioned within the report launched on Tuesday.
“Each serious injury affects not only the injured person at the time and during their recovery, but often for the rest of their life.
“It additionally impacts their households, communities and companies.”
The agricultural industry has had the highest number of deaths of all industries in WA and Australia for many years, with the fatalities in WA in 2021-22 significantly higher than previous years.
The industry employs about 45,000 workers in more than 5000 businesses ranging from small family-owned-and-operated farms through to large corporate operations.
Ms Scott noted that many agriculture workers were older men and it was not generally accepted that ageing brings reduced physical strength and agility.
“They should be inspired to regulate the work they do and the way they do it to take account of those modifications,” she mentioned.
“This contains doing much less bodily demanding work and being extra attentive to danger.”
The inquiry found some farmers believe they’re not subject to work health and safety regulation and if they are it is only in respect of paid workers.
“They view the farm as being about household and a lifestyle moderately than a business,” Ms Scott said.
The report said there was also likely to be a gross under-reporting of serious injuries to the regulator and a lack of claims for workers’ compensation.
Many owner-operators “make do” after injury and work while they recover.
“I’ve heard tales of farmers persevering with to drive gear with a damaged foot or leg propped up, or of driving one handed, to make sure that work is carried out the place it’s pressing,” Ms Scott mentioned.
“This is a part of the tradition of self-reliance inside the agricultural business.”
Ms Scott made eight recommendations, including that a safety inspection and education team be formed to bolster awareness in the industry.
A code of practice should also be implemented and timely information about the causes of fatalities and serious injuries should be released to the industry.
It was recommended the regulator and the industry should also engage with machinery and equipment manufacturers to improve machinery safety.
Ms Scott additionally referred to as for security alerts to be despatched to farmers relating to the usage of some gear, reminiscent of quad bikes, motorbikes and horses.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
