AWU joint OH&S conference tackles farm deaths

The conference starts tomorrow in the farming heartland community of Colac – two hours from Melbourne – and will look at the role local government can play in improving workplace safety.

The Minister for Agriculture Bob Cameron will be launching the conference, and Colac Otway chief executive officer Robert Small will debate what he sees as the role for local government in improving rural workplace safety.

AWU National OH&S unit director Dr Yossi Berger, who agitated for the one-day conference, said it was an important step forward to improving the very poor record of farm health and safety. Less than a third of Australia’s population live outside the major cities, yet almost half of all workplace deaths occur in rural Australia.
Dr Berger said Victorian Workcover figures have consistently shown farms are Victoria's most dangerous workplaces, with about 45 per cent of all workplace deaths occurring on the land.
“While most Victorian workers and employers have become more vigilant about workplace safety, the rural sector, which employs less than 5 per cent of the workforce, accounted for almost half of all workplace deaths in 2000.
The AWU has lobbied for a $10,000 grant to be awarded annually to different municipalities around the state to improve rural OH&S. Dr Berger said the grant would be named after the late Eric Young, a hardworking campaigner who sought to engage councils in rural OH&S issues.
Dr Berger has also initiated links between the AWU and the Country Women’s Association in a bid to improve rural OH&S. CWA member Maggie Boan will speak on: How the CWA or farming women help in OHS improvements.
The conference coincides with the AWU triennial Congress, where AWU National Secretary Bill Shorten will alert 800 delegates to the unacceptable problem of farm deaths. “The AWU is campaigning to improve farm work practices to lower the unacceptable number of farm deaths. We are doing this with the help of the VFF, VWA and local governments such as the Colac Otway Shire.
WHAT: RURAL OH&S: WHAT IS FAILING?
WHERE: Colac Otway Performing Arts and Cultural Centre – corner of Rae and Gellibrand Streets Colac
WHEN: Wednesday August 20, 2003 starts 9.30am to 4pm.