Australia’s peak workplace safety body has used National Farm Safety Week (20-26 July) to remind agricultural workers to see ‘near misses’ as an opportunity to improve safety.

According to Safe Work Australia statistics, agriculture, forestry, and fishing are among the industries with the highest number of worker deaths, with an average of 38 people losing their lives each year.

Australian Institute of Health and Safety CEO Julia Whitford said this year’s Farm Safety Week theme of ‘Second Chances’ was an important reminder to turn near misses into a valuable lesson.

“Farming is fast-paced and unpredictable,” Ms Whitford said.

“Every day, ag’ workers are operating heavy machinery, managing unpredictable animals, working at heights, mixing chemicals, or simply navigating long hours in tough conditions.

“Near misses aren’t just lucky escapes – they are 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 extended beyond the physical.

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

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

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

Resources can be found at www.aihs.org.au