Projects and reports

Reports and publications – what’s available

Data and research

The National Farm Injury Data Centre collates information from various agencies on the incidence of injuries and fatalities that occur on farms across Australia. This data has been sought and utilised by farmers, students, health and safety researchers, as well as organisations relevant to farming, including state workplace health and safety authorities, farmer industrial representatives, Farmsafe Australia, and state and federal government departments.

AgHealth Australia has used the data to undertake projects that directly involve farmers, relevant industry and government parties to examine the information collated, formulate strategies and promote practices on how to effectively reduce farm injury and fatalities across Australia.

Examples of program outcomes can be seen in the form of papers and articles which reflect the research and academic component of each program. Some of the research has also resulted in amendments being made to legislation relevant to occupational health and safety for agriculture and recommendations being taken up by farmers and industry independently.

Practical material such as guidelines and advice for farmers that cover farm activities such as tractor rollovers, farm workshop safety, machinery guarding, All Terrain Vehicles, worker induction, chemical safety, and child safety.

Promotional material including posters, magnets, checklists, educational resources etc have been produced and are utilised across Australia by health workers, educators, and agencies such as Drought Support Workers and Rural Financial Counsellors.

As an example of the translation of research has been the implementation and availability of funding for the retro-fitment of Rollover Protective Structures Rebate Schemes (ROPS) that has been made available to eligible farmers by state work health and safety authorities in Victoria, NSW and Queensland. The rebate schemes provided financial incentives for farmers to fit rollover bars to tractors in a systematic approach to reduce the incidence of fatalities involving tractor rollovers.