Plan to be safe this National Hay Safe Day on 25 October
This season as fodder is being loaded, transported, unloaded, and stacked in sheds and on farms across the country, for the 15thyear, we mark National Hay Safe Day, a time to reflect on safe practices when working and living around hay and silage bales.
“The Australian Fodder Industry Association (AFIA) promotes National Hay Safe Day on 25 October every year to raise awareness of the unique dangers working with hay and silage presents on our farms and through our transport networks,” said Louis Kelly , AFIA’s Chairman.
“This year we are focusing on the importance of planning, particularly during key stages of hay and silage production, such as cutting, baling, transporting and storage,” he said.
“Just as floods and droughts and bountiful and lean seasons come and go, so do those routine on farm jobs that keep our farming businesses thriving and successful. Like machinery maintenance and livestock and fencing checks, revisiting your safety practices should be part of your business regime,” said Louis.
“A proactive safety plan is essential for all farms, but with fodder and the movement and storage of bales in excess of 650 kilograms, the risk of falling and crushing injuries and fatalities adds extra elements to consider in your safety plan,” he said.
“Making safety practices part of everyday habits on your farm can help prevent accidents. For example, keeping machinery well maintained, educating people about on-farm traffic plans, and moving, stacking and storing hay in a safe and stable manner can help to keep your family, workers and visitors safe, particularly during busy or stressful times,” he said.
“This National Hay Safe Day, working with our safety partner Safe Ag Systems, we have developed a checklist resource focusing on the importance of planning to keep you safe all year round,” he said.
“This year, plan to be safe around hay by implementing your own safety practices, reviewing them routinely and making sure that your family, workers and farm visitors are all aware of them,” he concluded.
Workplace health and safety does not have to be complicated. Safe Ag Systems, AFIA’s safety partner offers help with all aspects of your farming operations – from training and inductions and identifying major hazards and safe practices to mental health and fatigue management resources.
AFIA has released Fodder Safety Briefs on tractors, quad bikes, telehandler safety, traffic management plans and worker training, as well as safety signage as part of recent hay safe initiatives.
National Hay Safe Day is an initiative which arose from a tragic on-farm accident in 2009. After losing her father, AFIA member and former director Suzanne Woods, a Western Australian hay grower, started the National Hay Safe Day awareness campaign.