The NSW Minister for Work Health and Safety, Sophie Cotsis and NSW Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty, took part in an industry roundtable hosted by SafeWork NSW in Orange today to discuss the prevention of workplace fatalities and serious injuries in the agriculture sector.
Now in its second year, the event brings together leaders from across government and industry to focus on practical solutions for reducing fatalities and serious injuries in the sector.
Agriculture remains one of Australia’s most dangerous industries, with consistently high rates of workplace fatalities and serious injuries. In 2024, SafeWork NSW responded to 12 workplace fatalities in the agricultural industry in NSW.
Incidents involving farm vehicles, including quad bikes and side-by-side vehicles (SSVs), remained one of the leading causes of fatalities and serious injuries in agriculture across NSW last year.
The nature of farm work presents a unique set of safety risks – from operating heavy machinery like tractors, quad bikes, and side by side vehicles, to the handling of hazardous chemicals and livestock.
“Farm safety is extremely important, there are many hazards unique to agricultural work and it is paramount that workers have the correct protections in place to ensure they are safe at work,” said Minister Moriarty.
“This roundtable is a great opportunity for agricultural industry members and workers to discuss hazard reduction and safety behaviour they have found to reduce workplace injury and death, and how these lessons can be applied across the industry.”
This year’s agenda focuses on real-world challenges, including the daily risks faced by farmers, the barriers to changing safety behaviour, and the importance of effective prevention strategies.
A dedicated session, Prevention in Action, will explore proven safety measures, followed by a collaborative discussion on designing future initiatives that are practical, relevant, and industry led.
“There are more than 81,000 workers in NSW employed in agricultural industries, including farming, fishing, and forestry. Workers employed in agriculture are at greater risk of being killed or injured at work than most,” said Minister Cotsis.
“Plant, machinery, vehicles and animals are the biggest dangers in agricultural workplace settings, and businesses and managers should ensure everyone who works in their business is provided with safe equipment and procedures as well as the right skills and supervision, to carry out their work safely.
“It is a fundamental right for every worker to go to their job and come home safely to their loved ones.”
Attendees will include representatives from local agricultural employers, NSW Farmers, unions, academics, relevant government agencies, and the Country Women’s Association.
As part of the ongoing initiatives sparked by the 2024 Agriculture Roundtable, the SafeWork NSW Improving Connectivity for Farmers six-month pilot program is helping enhance mobile connectivity, signal strength, and reliability for farmers across regional NSW.
The pilot commenced on 17 March 2025 and will run through to September 2025, covering the Trangie to Burcher region and surrounding areas.
- The program targets several key postcodes, including 2800 (Orange)—a major regional centre—as well as towns and localities across the following postcodes: 2671 (West Wyalong), 2672 (Burcher), 2800 (Orange, Clifton Grove, Borenore), 2804 (Manildra, Cudal), 2806 (Molong), 2820 (Trangie), 2821 (Nevertire), 2823 (Tottenham), 2830 (Dubbo), 2864 (Condobolin), 2865 (Tullibigeal), 2866 (Lake Cargelligo), 2867 (Euabalong), 2868 (Nymagee), 2870 (Parkes), 2871 (Forbes), 2873 (Trundle), 2874 (Tullamore), 2875 (Fifield), and 2877 (Albert).
Eligible farmers can claim up to $1,000 through the Small Business Rebate towards the purchase of a mobile signal booster or a mobile satellite internet system.
The first Agriculture Roundtable held in 2024 laid the foundation for stronger collaboration between government and industry on farm safety. It highlighted key issues and led to practical actions based on industry feedback.
Today’s roundtable will also feature discussions around post-incident support for workers, workplaces, and communities, and will examine effective safety behaviour on farms around the most common hazards seen by SafeWork NSW inspectors.
“The Agriculture Roundtable is a key opportunity for SafeWork NSW to raise awareness and work with the farmers to improve safety and help drive down farm related deaths,” said Acting Deputy Secretary of SafeWork NSW, Trent Curtin.
“Farms and agriculture remain one of NSW’s most dangerous industries. We are committed to working with industry to make sure that our farmers can go to work and return home safely every day,” he said.
