Protecting the next generation: farm safety events run in CQ
Families and high school students are being given the opportunity to refresh their farm safety skills when the Next Generation Farm Safety Roadshow visits Rockhampton' Blackwater and Emerald next week.
The project is a Commonwealth funded initiative from the Department of Agriculture' Fisheries and Forestry and in Queensland is being delivered by CQUniversity in partnership with AgForce.
The sessions will cover hazards and dangers on farms that are particularly important for children as well as ways in which to mitigate risks and increase confidence to undertake safe practices – all of which are important lessons according to Next Generation Farm Safety project officer Anna Day.
"In Australia farms are often both a home and workplace to adults and children which means it's really important that everyone in the family knows how to operate safely in these spaces'" she said.
"Nearly 15 per cent of fatalities on farms involve children who are under the age of 15' with more than half having no active supervision by an adult at the time of the incident."
The Next Generation Farm Safety Roadshow will be visiting secondary schools to speak directly to students as well as running free family hands-on sessions at the Outback Exploratorium in Emerald.
"In schools we are working with older students who might be playing a more involved role on farms – whether that be their own family farm or just one they visit.
"Then there is our Family Day which is aimed at all ages.
"At both events we will be running participants through interactive activities about vehicle safety' zoonotic disease' chemical handling and more."
The Next Generation Farm Safety Roadshow will visit the following locations:
- Blackwater State High School' Thursday' 8 September
- Emerald OnTrack Training College' Friday' 9 September
- Free Family Day – Emerald Outback Exploratorium' Saturday' 10 September
