SAFETY sessions focused on cattle handling and stockyard practices are being held across the state this month.
Alongside TFGA, Primary Employers Tasmania, Nutrien and Elders, Safe Farming are facilitating a series of practical information sessions to raise awareness of safety around livestock handling, and the many other issues currently affecting beef growers and their workers.
The sessions have been developed in consultation with key stakeholders including beef growers, rural sector leaders and industry experts.
The sessions focus on stock yard safety for livestock stock handlers, minimum safety standards and obligations, training and worker retention, employing farm workers, workers compensation and general insurance, electrical safety, mental health, biosecurity issues including FMD, Red Hot Tips protective burning assistance and National Emergency Management Agency.
Last week saw the second of four sessions be held at Powranna which, despite the admittedly smaller turnout than the first Flinders Island session, was still an unmitigated success, according to Safe Farming’s Phil John.
“The sessions so far have gone extremely well.
The Flinders Island turnout was a corker with 40-odd people turning up,” Mr John said.
“Given what has gone on across the passed few weeks with the weather, it’s understandable a few less people turned out to Powranna.
“We’re now looking forward to the Stanley and King Island sessions later this month.”
The sessions, which focus on cattle handling in and out of stockyards, dovetails with the safety rebate scheme Safe Farming offered last year that helped make farm workplaces safer by offering rebates on hazard-reducing purchases.
“The rebates were a huge success in making massive improvements to those that engaged with it,” said Mr John.
The next Safety Awareness session will be held at Western Plains Beef in Stanley on November 10, followed by the King Island session at Waverly Station on November 25, and will be free of charge.
To reserve a space at the session, visit Eventbrite.com and search ‘Cattle Handling Safety Awareness Session’.