Safety And Health Awareness Days (SHADs)

Farming accounts for a disproportionately high number of workplace accidents and there is evidence to suggests that the industry also has a poor occupational health record. Despite this, there is a lack of awareness amongst many farmers about the risks and / or the precautions that can be taken. Relatively few farmers have received formal OSH training and many have developed their own ways of working, which may not necessarily be best practice. Delivering training and advice to farmers can present difficulties; farmers are often based in isolated locations, rarely have a formal management structure, and can find it difficult to spend time away from the farm. Furthermore, their independent and practical nature can make them reluctant to respond to written instruction.