Australia's peak fodder group is urging its supply chain to focus on safety to coincide with National Hay Safe Day as the industry remains hopeful of a promising season and a reasonable weather outlook.
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To celebrate the occasion, the Australian Fodder Industry Association has teamed up with partner Safe Ag Systems to launch a series of new safety resources.
Three fodder safety briefs on telehandler safety, traffic management plans and worker training are set to be released on Monday to guide safe work practices.
"Often complacency and fatigue result in accidents and deaths on our farms so this busy period is the perfect time to stop and think about safety," AFIA chief executive Paula Fitzgerald said.
"During these busy months we also need to be mindful that sufficient time has been spent inducting new staff, particularly those unfamiliar with the farm's operations.
"The new fodder safety briefs being released today build on AFIA's safety signage and our existing resources which address working safely when moving, loading and unloading fodder."
A 2018 report by Safe Work Australia indicated that on average, the agriculture industry was ranked second in terms of fatality rate, accounted for the highest number of fatalities over the last five years and ranked third in terms of the frequency rate of serious claims.
National Hay Safe Day is an initiative which arose from a tragic on-farm incident more than a decade ago.
"Clearly we must focus on reducing fatalities and serious accidents in our sector," Ms Fitzgerald said.
"(Today) is a valuable reminder that safety is non-negotiable in the fodder and broader agriculture sector."
Safe Ag Systems chief executive Katy Landt said every worker deserved to go home safely.
"Although every day should be hay safe, if we can impact safety culture through educational resources, we can contribute to a positive movement in agriculture," she said.
