MEDIA RELEASE: AG WORKERS URGED TO TURN CLOSE CALLS INTO SAFETY ACTION THIS NATIONAL FARM SAFETY WEEK

Date: 23/07/25

Australia’s peak workplace safety body is reminding agricultural workers to see near misses as an opportunity to improve safety this National Farm Safety Week (20–26 July).

According to Safe Work Australia statistics, Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing is among the industries with the highest number of worker deaths, with an average of 38 people losing their lives each year.  

The Australian Institute of Health & Safety (AIHS) CEO, Julia Whitford, said this year’s Farm Safety Week theme, ‘Second Chances’, is an important reminder to turn near misses into a valuable lesson.

“Farming is fast-paced and unpredictable. Every day, ag workers are operating heavy machinery, managing unpredictable animals, working at heights, mixing chemicals, or simply navigating long hours in tough conditions,” Ms Whitford said.

“Near misses aren’t just lucky escapes – they’re important warnings. If we pause to reflect and act after a close call, we can mitigate that risk and prevent future incidents.”

Among the causes of worker fatalities in Australia are vehicle rollovers, falls, equipment incidents, and being struck by moving objects, but Ms Whitford said in farming, safety risks also extend beyond the physical.

“Long hours, financial pressures, and the mental strain of working in isolation or in extreme conditions also takes a toll,” he said.

“Many ag workers operate in remote areas without easy access to healthcare or support. Add to that the stress of unpredictable seasons, burn out, and market conditions, and you’ve got a perfect storm for both physical and psychological injury.”

National Farm Safety Week is a chance for farmers to check in on themselves and their colleagues – not just to tick a box, but to build habits that save lives.

“We want farm workers to start asking: What went wrong? What nearly went wrong? And what can I do differently?” Ms Whitford said.

“Second chances don’t always come around – and that’s why safety has to start with the lessons we choose to learn now.”

Resources can be found on the AIHS website here.

ENDS

Media Enquiries:
AIHS Contact: Rebecca Turnbull
Tel: (03) 8336 1995
Email: [email protected]

About the AIHS: With a 76-year history, the Australian Institute of Health & Safety is Australia’s national association for the health and safety profession, with a vision for safe and healthy people in productive workplaces and communities.