title: Agricultural health and safety performance in Australia.
abstract: This study aimed to determine the proportion of Australian farming enterprises with systems and processes that meet current regulatory and industry standards for health and safety. Data from 683 farming enterprises were drawn from a nationally stratified random sample representing seven commodity sectors: beef cattle, cotton, dairy, horticulture, grain growing, sheep, and sugar cane. Results indicated low levels of implementation for farm health and safety plans as well as induction for new workers and contractors. Improvements to control major safety hazards are required for farm machinery and implements, farm vehicles, reducing exposure of children to hazards, and the use of helmets when riding quad bikes, motorbikes, and horses. There were considerable variations between commodity sectors. There remains significant scope to enhance the safety of farmers in Australia.
authors.affiliation: Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety, School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Moree, New South Wales, Australia. tony.lower@sydney.edu.au
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lower
authors.forename: Lyn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fragar
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Temperley
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000383:Agriculture; D001315:Australia; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D055815:Young Adult