Workplace fatalities - Farmers must put safety first

WHEN will they ever learn? When it comes to fatalities in the workplace, this grim question confronts the farming community every year.

Astonishingly, while the sector accounts for 30% of workplace fatalities it employs just 6.5% of the workers.

Most agricultural accidents happen in intensive farming areas. Long working hours during the harvest season, a higher use of dangerous machinery and more animal herding are key factors behind the mounting toll of farm accidents and deaths.