With Christmas holidays fast approaching, NSW farmers are being urged to take extra precautions to keep visitors and their families safe over the holiday period.
Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said escaping to a rural property is a fantastic way to enjoy the holiday break, but farmers must ensure proper safety measures are in place.
"Farms are a great place to visit during the holidays, but families should remember that these properties are also a workplace, and there are lots of potential hazards that visitors must be aware of," Mr Kean said.
Mr Kean said there were some simple tips people could follow to keep themselves and their visitors safe over the holidays:
- Watch curious children, especially around farm machinery and other hazardous equipment;
- Keep workshops locked up and know where all visitors are at all times;
- Set clear rules and ensure visitors know them and are aware of any risks;
- Don’t allow unsupervised access to water hazards such as dams, tanks and rivers and areas that would be unfamiliar to them, including silos, stockyards and chemical stores; and,
- Keep inexperienced riders away from quad bikes. They aren’t toys and should not be underestimated.
Mr Kean said quad bikes are one of the biggest killers on NSW farms.
"Many farmers will find themselves under pressure from visiting friends and family, particularly children, to let them have a ride on the quad bike," Mr Kean said.
"I urge you to stay strong and say ‘no’. Don’t ever let children operate or be carried as passengers on quad bikes, and if any adult needs to ride one, make sure they always wear a helmet and are trained to operate the bike."
The NSW Government is making farms safer, with the Quad Bike Safety Improvement Program launched in July 2016. Since then, hundreds of farmers have received free education and more than $1.7 million in rebates have been given to farmers to replace their existing quad bike, or have it fitted with safety equipment.
