News Item

FREE FARM SAFETY DINNER

October 12, 2011

Farm safety will take the spotlight at a free dinner and information evening for farmers and small landholders to be held at Community College Gippsland‘s Warragul McMillan campus on Thursday, October 27.

Wellington Farm Safety Action Group in conjunction with Community College Gippsland is inviting farmers and small landholders to attend a social evening with a farm safety theme to provide an opportunity for farmers, employees and contractors to gain information on a range of issues.

Industry specialists will be speak on a range of topics from quad bike safety to chemical handling and storage, manual handling, chainsaw and other equipment as well as rural heath issues, firearm safety and child safety on farms.

Guest speakers include Jill Tucker Wellington Farm Safety Action Group, Phil Maskrey, Senior Inspector Worksafe, Sam Beechey of Farm Safe Alliance, David Stewart of DPI, Victoria Police, and John Brereton of Community College Gippsland

Community College Gippsland, General Manager Industry Development, John Brereton, said the evening has been organised to give local people on the land and in rural businesses an opportunity to ask questions and discuss issues of concern about farm safety, hear latest industry news, talk about regulations and safety practices.

He said quad bike safety was an important issue that was likely to receive attention at the meeting given concerns over the number of quad bike accidents on farms this year some which have resulted in deaths.

“There is an increasing responsibility on employers and employees to make sure that they have the understanding that farm vehicles such as quad bikes and other equipment carry risks and they have the appropriate level of skills to use these in a safe manner.

Mr Brereton said there were an increasing number of people moving here for lifestyle properties as well as existing farmers and contractors. It is important that the safety message and their responsibilities are well understood.

“It will be user friendly evening to give people an opportunity to ask questions and obtain information on how best they can ensure their farms and work practices are safe.”

The Farm Safety Evening will be held at the McMillan campus of Community College Gippsland at 71 Korumburra Road Warragul on Thursday October 27 staring at 6.30pm.

RSVP must be made to Glenn Brooks (CCG) on 5622 600 or email: glennb@ccg.as.au or contact Jill Tucker (WFSAG) on 51458211

For further information contact:

John Brereton
General Manager Industry Development
Community College Gippsland
Tel: 03 5622 6000
Mob: 0409 226 032
Email: johnb@ccg.asn.au