Safety focus ahead of Victorian harvest

Victorian farmers and their teams are being urged to prepare for harvest safety, with a series of practical workshops to be held across regional areas later this month.

The Victorian Farmers Federation’s MOFS team is partnering with Real Skills Ag Training to deliver sessions covering machinery, fire prevention, powerline safety, fatigue, traffic management and grain handling.

VFF President Ryan Milgate says the workshops are designed to help farmers identify and manage the heightened risks that come with harvest, including machinery and vehicle movements, seasonal workers, fatigue and fire, before the pressure begins.

Sessions will also cover emergency preparedness, environmental conditions including heat and dust, and safe operation around headers, augers, chaser bins and trucks.

Workshops will be held across Ouyen, Echuca, Lake Bolac, Donald and Swan Hill from September 21 to 24, with farmers, workers and contractors encouraged to attend.