January 29th, 2022Agricultural health and safety
Do you know a Victorian secondary school that would be interested in free agricultural health and safety training for students?
The Gear Up for Ag Health and Safety Program works with secondary school students to build their understanding of common agricultural risks and the importance of safe practices on farms.
Funded by Agriculture Victoria’s Smarter, Safer Farms program and delivered by the National Centre for Farmer Health, Gear Up for Ag delivers education on topics like safe quadbike and motorbike usage, respiratory protection, agrichemical exposure, eye and ear safety, zoonotic diseases (from cattle and sheep), heat related stress and skin protection and the importance of keeping healthy, both physically and mentally.
Since its inception in 2018, Gear Up for Ag has reached nearly 400 students across 14 Victorian secondary schools and agricultural colleges.
Casterton Secondary College teacher Ms Bel Kelleway said it can be difficult to teach students about the importance of health and safety within the normal school curriculum.
“The program is a fun way for students to discuss serious health and farm safety issues that impact them,” she said.
Gear Up for Ag Program Facilitator, Ms Morna Semmens said workshops are delivered by trained facilitators and students are actively encouraged to participate in interactive learning opportunities and co-operative activities.
“At the conclusion of the workshop a free personal protective equipment kit is given to students to take home and implement their learnings.
“Providing education on health, wellbeing and safety issues to farmers at a young age is vitally important given 76 per cent of participating students plan to continue to work in agriculture.
“During the Gear Up Program we discuss strategies that can be applied to minimise risk and we demonstrate proper and correct usage of personal protection equipment when risk can’t be eliminated,” Ms Semmens said.
Expressions of interest are now open for 2022 workshops and secondary schools are encouraged to register their interest early to avoid missing out.
Visit the National Centre for Farmer Health or contact Cecilia Fitzgerald on (03) 5551 8533 to get involved.Supported by Smarter, Safer Farms, a $20 million Victorian Government commitment to improve safety and skills outcomes for Victorian farmers.
