Media Release
National Hay Safe Day – Tuesday 25 October 2016
National Hay Safe Day, a day focusing on safety in the hay and silage industry, is on Tuesday 25 October. In the lead up to National Hay Safe Day, the Australian Fodder Industry Association (AFIA) is asking everyone involved in the fodder industry to run through the Hay Safe Conversation Checklist every day with all of your all workers/operators and family members.
With the 2016 fodder harvest underway in some areas, we are seeing the beginning of what will be another busy year for hay and silage producers. A busy fodder season often means people working long hours resulting in fatigue and when this happens it’s all too easy to overlook or forget about safety, and this can have disastrous consequences.
It can only take a split-second for something to go wrong and put the safety of a business owner, employees, family members or the public at risk. That’s why AFIA is asking everyone involved in making and transporting hay and silage to take the opportunity to run through the Hay Safe Conversation Checklist every day.
The Hay Safe Conversation Checklist:
- Know where everyone is working on the day and what they are tasked to do.
- Be aware of your surroundings at all time.
- Avoid distractions from the job at hand; use mobile phones or other electronic devices responsibly.
- Ensure all machinery is properly and securely shutdown, especially before any maintenance takes place.
- Make sure there is approved and functioning safety guards fitted to all machinery.
- Are all dry and flammable materials being regularly and safely removed from the workplace?
- Are fire extinguishers functioning and does everyone know how to operate them?
- Are first aid kits fully stocked and located within easy access to today’s workplace?
- Are all workers familiar with the location of potential hazards such as power lines, poles and any other possible obstructions?
- Are all workers/operators and family members familiar with your safety procedures and what to do in an emergency?
Remember, work health and safety is everyone’s responsibility and we want everyone to take on the Hay Safe Day messages, making safety a focus and helping to prevent accidents from happening in your hay or silage business.
Don’t forget to share your National Hay Safe Day initiatives and thoughts on AFIA’s social media platforms, via Twitter @AusFodder and Facebook @Ausfodde
National Hay Safe Day is the initiative Suzanne Woods, an AFIA member, fodder grower and hay exporter from Calingiri in Western Australia. Tragically on October 25, 2009, Suzanne lost her father in an accident on their farm.
For more information on safety in the Australia fodder industry please contact the AFIA office on (03) 9670 0523 or visit www.afia.org.au
Media Contact:
John McKew
Chief Executive Officer
Australian Fodder Industry Association
W: (03) 9670 0523
M: 0438 182 60
E: [email protected]