WorkSafe farm deaths inquiry: Safety culture on Australian farms to be put under microscope

The culture around safety on Australian farms will be put under the microscope in a landmark inquiry into the “deeply concerning” rising number of deaths in the agricultural sector. WorkSafe Commissioner Darren Kavanagh on Thursday slammed the $80 billion industry for its track record, following a spate of 12 farm deaths in as many months. “The inquiry will consider the culture of the agriculture industry that seems to accept fatal incidents at significantly higher rates than any other industry, with farm production appearing to be put before the safety of families and workers,” Mr Kavanagh said. His comments come as the terms of reference for the inquiry under the provisions of the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 were on Wednesday revealed to involve the impacts of the pandemic, training and support and the role and powers of WorkSafe inspectors. The safety watchdog in June launched an inquiry to “examine the tragic deaths of agricultural workers and family members over the past five years”, just days after a 24-year-old farmer was tragically killed on June 21. It was the latest tragedy to leave the WA farming community in mourning, with the young farmer struck in the head and killed when the towing equipment he was using to move a bogged vehicle with a tractor failed while he was working on a property between Varley and Lake King. It followed the shock deaths of four others on WA farms in the past year and several others in farms in other states. Mr Kavanagh — who is leading the inquiry — on Thursday announced its eight terms of reference, as well as the appointment of former Industrial Relations Commissioner and Chief Industrial Relations Commissioner Pam Scott to assist as an independent inquirer. The terms included — but are not limited to — the impact of fatalities on the industry, policies, training and support, external factors impacting the industry, implementing targets to reduce injuries and fatalities and improving safety around high-risk work and hazardous substances. It will also investigate other deaths which may have occurred but not been recorded as agricultural. In the 10 years between 2010 and 2020, 41 people died working in the agriculture, forestry and fishing industries, accounting for 24 per cent of WA workplace deaths. Of those deaths, more than a third were farmers and farm managers, with farm, forestry and garden workers accounting for 24 per cent. WAFarmers chief executive Trevor Whittington said agriculture was a “dangerous industry” and farmers needed to “change their approach” to safety. “Clearly the industry’s got an issue because the deaths keep on coming, accidents keep coming,” he said. It comes at a time where farm safety has been thrust in the spotlight, with employers facing 20 years in jail and $10 million in fines if found responsible for a workplace death under the new Work Health and Safety Act. “It’s a dangerous industry and the laws, the industrial legislation penalties are extreme,” Mr Whittington said. “Farmers can’t ignore it anymore.” He called on the State and Federal Governments to put “millions of dollars” into a campaign raising awareness of farm safety. “Just like smoking or driving or water safety campaigns, the government needs to invest millions in this,” Mr Whittington said. WA Agriculture Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the number of fatalities and injuries in the sector recently had given Mr Kavanagh little option but to conduct an inquiry. “It is a challenging issue where many farms are family run, and employees are family,” she said. “But it must be dealt with. “The industry now has the highest insurance premium rates because of this record.” Ms MacTiernan said 30 years ago, the mining industry had a similar injury rate, but underwent a “transformation” and it was time for the same to happen in the agricultural sector. “I think this review process will end up helping farmers have a clear, practical path forward to improve safety, save lives, and reduce insurance costs,” she said. It is anticipated the inquiry will be completed and a report written by the end of the year. Terms of Reference: