SafeWork NSW has congratulated the winners of the 2018 RAS Young Farmer Challenge.

SafeWork’s ‘Alive and Well’ farm safety program was a sponsor of the challenge which saw young farmers from across the state compete in a series of on-farm challenges ranging from animal handling to driving side-by-side vehicles and setting up irrigation systems.

Wagga Wagga farmers Emma Gorman, John Dawson, Georgie Milne and Paige Mazoudier were the winners of the four-team state final held at the Sydney Royal Easter Show on Saturday, March 31.

SafeWork NSW Group Director, Regional and Response Operations, Tony Williams congratulated the winners and said they were great ambassadors for health and safety in agriculture.

“The farming sector is critical to the NSW economy,” Mr Williams said.

“In 2013/14 NSW agricultural production was worth $12.1 billion, representing close to a quarter of all national agricultural production.

“But while it makes up just 2.6 per cent of the Australian workforce, farming accounts for 20 per cent of all worker deaths.

“That figure is completely unacceptable and it’s exactly why we’re working with the sector to improve safety through our Agriculture Work Health and Safety Sector Plan.

“Spreading the farm safety message to young farmers at events like this is one of the ways we aim to change people’s attitudes to health and safety on farms.

“I congratulate the four Wagga Wagga farmers on their victory, and for setting an outstanding example for other young farmers.”

SafeWork NSW’s Agriculture Work Health and Safety Sector Plan focuses on a number areas, including the use of quad bikes, guarding of agricultural equipment and working with animals.

“By working with the agriculture sector and supply chain we can keep more NSW farmers, workers, and their families safe,” Mr Williams said.

For further information on farm safety see the Agriculture Work Health and Safety Sector Plan or call 13 10 50.

Source: WorkSafe NSW & The Rural , 3 April 2018