The newly appointed legal obligation to manage risks within the farm workplace for all contractors and staff is a worry for many.
When the new legislation comes into effect, the application of legal duties as to the principal person in charge will now also be expanded to include any person who holds a governance position in a business such as a partner, trustee or director.
For most farm businesses that will mean husbands and wives, the family, as well as farm owners. Governance and boards will need to seek confirmation that their farm systems are being suitably managed in this health and safety space.
More often we find managers and staff have not had clear support and guidance from the business owners as to expectations regarding rules, responsibilities, liabilities, reporting and rarely get comprehensive feedback.
Often governance lacks the required knowledge to develop the policy. Being deemed "competent" and being able to assess staff competency as required under the new legislation, is also proving a challenge as we are working in a predominantly self-taught industry. Does that mean we all have to be certified and in what?
Our core business model is an on-farm focus with the farm owners and their teams taking the time to listen, assist, educate and counsel.
We have comprehensive and specialised rural, Australasian standardised audits. They establish not only the compliance status, but the start of the business action plan and an enormous amount of education is part of every farm visit.
Our paper-based and online systems mirror the client needs for not only their farm activity but also that of their service providers -- shearers, fencers, agricultural air provider, bulk spreader, vet etc.
What we are seeing is if there is a system in place, often it is an out-of-date generic system gathering dust, written by someone not suitably qualified with no management understanding as to application.
Our advice is be careful as to the off-the shelf 'quick fix' options being pushed out there at your expense.
There is no fast-track option and it's not a one-off purchase and shelve process. It takes time to get these systems right. Don't take shortcuts and expect a few signs and some templates to suffice.
Our industry needs leadership to develop rural sector standards starting with what practical good practise looks like, consulting with governing associations and codes, and then regulation.
The regulator expects our industry to take the lead.
There is already a large number of governing parameters that we must adhere to and there is valuable material with safety management tips within these codes, acts and guidelines already established.
Take time to analyse your type of business, what's relevant and required, and make sure your health and safety requirements are purpose-made for your farming business.
