National Hay Safe Day 2019 – Friday 25 October

National Hay Safe Day 2019 – Friday 25 October

Media Release

14 October 2019

National Hay Safe Day 2019 – Friday 25 October

National Hay Safe Day, an annual event focusing on safety in the fodder industry, is on Friday 25 October.

Remember, work health and safety is everyone’s responsibility, and we want everyone to take on the National Hay Safe Day messages, making safety a focus and helping to prevent accidents from happening in your business.

In 2019, with dry conditions continuing to impact many farmers and regional areas across Australia, AFIA is also promoting awareness of good mental health for National Hay Safe Day.  While sharing your concerns, your issues and your story with others will not make it rain, it can help lighten the load.  Australia, and in particular, rural Australia, has an important and proud tradition of looking out for one another, your neighbours, your mates and your community.  We do this in times of crisis – fires, floods and we need to do it in times of drought too.  So, in 2019, as part of National Hay Safe Day, take some time to assess how you are feeling and seek help if you are feeling over-whelmed.

The National Centre for Farmer Health (www.farmerhealth.org.au) and Beyond Blue (www.beyondblue.org.au) have lots of great information and resources to help.

Don’t forget about these safety issues:

  1. Trucks moving in, out and around your property; what are the risks (e.g. power lines, other machinery, people, livestock, clear and readily accessible access to the fodder stores, etc.)?
  2. The safe and appropriate use of telehandlers, loaders, forklifts, etc.
  3. Loading fodder – is the load securely strapped and safe to be on the road?
  4. Unloading of fodder – is the area clear of obstructions or other potential hazards?
  5. Does everyone involved with the loading or unloading of fodder know their respective roles and responsibilities and is everyone being vigilant for any safety issues?
  6. Is everyone wearing their personal protective equipment, especially high visibility vests?
  7. Make sure everyone is accounted for and safe during times of loading and unloading of fodder.

Here are some other suggestions for you to consider for National Hay Safe Day 2019:

  1. Why not Take Ten for Tea (i.e. ten minutes) and host a morning tea on Friday 25 October and talk about safety in your business with your staff, family and contractors?  Invite the neighbours over and make it a social/local community occasion.
  2. Share your National Hay Safe Day initiatives, thoughts and photos on AFIA’s social media platforms, via Twitter, Instagram and Facebook using @Ausfodder
  3. Subscribe to AFIA’s new Work, Health & Safety (WHS) Program.  The program includes a user’s guide and nine risk assessments specifically developed for AFIA members and at a cost of only $100 (+ GST).  To subscribe, send an email to [email protected]

National Hay Safe Day is an initiative of Suzanne Woods, an AFIA member, Director, 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.

Media Contact:

John McKew
Chief Executive Officer
W: (03) 9670 0523
M: 0438 182 600
E: [email protected]