Water – make it safe to drink

Drinking water from rain tanks, bores and even dams is great when you know the water is safe. However, sometimes prolonged dry periods, contamination from dust, livestock, birds, algae and even insect plagues can affect the quality of your drinking water.

Parasites can be ingested from drinking rainwater, particularly after periods of heavy rain or when the tank water is low. Dirt from the roof, including animal faeces and germs, carried in the wind can blow onto the roof and flow into the tank. This can lead to diseases, such as Blastocystis. Seepage from septic tanks, intensive farming operations or pesticide drift can also contaminate your drinking water supply. More recently climate variability has increased the number of algal blooms which can also be toxic.

If you suspect water may be contaminated, boil or filter your drinking water. You may need to consider treating it with a disinfectant – for more information on how you can treat water at your home visit the “Guide to Drinking Water Treatment Technologies for Household Use”.

Drinking untreated water such as creek water, bore water or sometimes even rainwater can lead to illnesses including gastroenteritis. Natural water sources should be used with caution and water treatment methods can be used to ensure your water is safe to drink.

Remember, think before you drink and treat the water if you are unsure. It is a good idea to take a bottle of clean drinking water with you if you are out on the farm.

Find out more about this topic on Better Health Channel

Fast facts:

• Tanks, creeks, bore water and dams can be infected with waterborne diseases, especially after storms or floods.
• Contaminated water can cause sicknesses such as gastroenteritis and diarrhoea.
• The best way to kill waterborne bacteria is to boil the water before drinking. Filtration works very effectively too.

Water tanks and dams – safety tips

Water tanks, dams and channels on farms are an essential source of water for human and livestock drinking and irrigation needs. However they can pose serious risks. Children can drown in tanks and dams, water can be contaminated and accidents can happen when tanks are being cleaned.

Tanks can also become breeding areas for mosquitoes which is a particular concern in areas where mosquito borne diseases like Murray Valley encephalitis virus, Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus and Dengue fever are a risk.

Protect yourself and others: 

Seal water tanks so children, animals, birds and insects can’t get in.
Monitor and clean water tanks regularly. Ensure you use appropriate safety precautions; ie make sure someone knows you are in there and be careful using motorised pumps in confined spaces such as tanks — people have become asphyxiated.

Ensure there is a safe and fenced off play area for children and always keep an eye on children near dams, troughs swimming pools, creeks and tanks.

If you obtain your drinking water from bores, rivers, dams or rainwater tanks, you should take special care to make sure that this water is safe to drink. Contaminated water can cause serious illness, from nutrient build up, bacteria, agrichemicals, bushfire ash and algal blooms such as blue green algae. Water from hoses can also be dangerous particularly if it has been sitting in the hose and becomes warm thus enabling bacteria build up.

Fast Facts – Water tanks and dams – safety tips

• Seal drinking water tanks
• Clean out tanks regularly
• Do not drink from your water if you think it is contaminated
• If treating water ensure you follow the directions

Greywater recycling

On farms, greywater – which is household wastewater (excluding toilet water) – can be used to supplement water supplies for irrigation, particularly for non-edible plants and landscape watering. This promotes water conservation and reducing reliance on freshwater sources. 

In the home, greywater can be used for laundry and toilet flushing. Outside of the home, greywater can be used to water lawns and garden plants (but not vegetables), and keep dust down around the house, sheds and yards. 

Things to consider

Unless you have a proper treatment facility you should not store greywater (over 24 hours).

You can use greywater in three ways:

1. Manual bucketing – collecting water in a bucket (e.g. from the washing machine or shower and watering the garden). This is the cheapest option.
2. Greywater diversion – these systems divert greywater to a small holding tank and then to an irrigation system below the soil surface.  
3. Greywater treatment – these systems clean greywater enough to be stored and can be used in any weather. It is not clean enough to drink but can be used to flush toilets, wash clothes and water the garden.

Two key benefits of using greywater include the reduced need for freshwater and the reduction in the amount of wastewater entering septic systems and sewers.

Take care when using greywater. It has the potential to make people in your household unwell and kill plants. Make sure your pets and livestock don’t drink greywater and that it doesn’t run into creeks or other waterways. There are also biodegradable washing products that make your greywater safer to use.

Find out more about this topic on Better Health Channel.

Fast facts:

• Greywater from basins, washing machines, showers and baths can be used. Do not use water from toilet systems.
• Use greywater with care. Don’t store greywater; use it within 24 hours on your garden or for keeping dust down around buildings and in dry areas.
• Make sure greywater does not run or leach into creeks, dams or other waterways and do not use it for livestock or other animals. 
• Check your local greywater regulations as they differ around Australia. 

Workshop safety

Workshops are essential on a farm but they need to be safe places to work. Around 15.1% of agricultural fatalities involved powered tools, equipment and appliances in 2010 to 2014 combined. Between 2015–2019 (Australia-wide), 3% of workplace fatalities occurred due to contact with electricity.  This is six deaths (on average) each year. It is essential to identify any potential hazards and remove the risk. Making the workshop and job as safe as possible can minimise or eliminate the potential for injury or fatality and be aware of which equipment involves greater risk than others. For example portable equipment is particularly vulnerable due to fraying leads and extension cords. Consider non slip flooring to prevent slips.

Having personal protective equipment (PPE) available to wear is best practice.

There are many potential hazards in a workshop:

• Poor workshop layout and design
• Cluttered walkways leading to slips, trips and falls.
• Electrical power leads
• Welding and grinding equipment
• Power tools – checking guards and cords
• Hoists used to work on farm vehicles
• Poor lighting – leading to accidents
• Battery charging
• Tyre changing

Workshops should be kept tidy and clean to prevent slips, trips, falls and other accidents. Regular inspecting and testing of equipment should be done. For more information on farm workshop safety visit Farm Safe Australia.

Fast facts:

• Farm workshops need to be safe work areas.
• Use personal protective equipment including hearing and respiratory protection
• Look at the overall layout of the workshop and see if you can make it safer.
• Look for potential hazards and use and put strategies in place to minimise or eliminate risk of injury or fatality.
• Give safety induction and training to workers and supervise unskilled workers.
• Keep children and visitors out of the workshop at all times.

Tractor safety

Tractors are a useful and often essential piece of farm machinery on Australian farms. Modern tractors have been designed and built with your safety in mind – and its safe operation is entirely in the hands of the operator.

However, tractors remain the most common cause of death and serious injury on farms. From 2003-23, 362 fatalities occurred in the agriculture industry that involved a vehicle. The most common vehicles involved were tractors and other mobile plant (63 per cent, 4231 fatalities)¹. 

Always follow the safety instructions for your tractor, particularly when you stop or start the tractor. Every model of tractor is different and will have slightly different safety requirements. Read and follow the instructions in the operator’s manual to ensure you are operating your tractor safely.

Passengers riding on tractors, tractor implements or trailers are at a high risk of injury. They were neither built nor intended for joy riding. When tractors travel over uneven ground, passengers can easily be jolted, lose their grip and fall. Do not carry passengers on tractors without instructor seats, roll-over protective structures (ROPS) and safety belts. 

Hazards and risks associated when operating and working with tractors

• Runovers and rollovers.
• Machinery power take offs (PTOs) unguarded.
• Hydraulics causing crush injuries.
• Poor ergonomics causing back strain.
• Noise induced hearing loss.
• Working at heights and stairs causing falls.
• Poor operator skills.

Recommendations when operating and working with tractors

• Maintain your tractors, and related implements and attachments in line with industry standards and manufacturers’ requirements.
• Conduct pre-operational checks in line with the manufacturers’ instructions on all machinery.
• Fit your tractors with approved ROPS.
• Ensure all guards are in place, especially PTO guards, and check them regularly for signs of wear and tear.
• Ensure tractors are fitted with non-slip, side-access steps that are in good condition.
• Do not allow anyone to ride on the steps, or on implements attached to the tractor, while the tractor is moving.
• Do not attempt to board or disembark a moving tractor.
• Ensure workers are properly inducted, trained and supervised, especially inexperienced and young operators.
• Have a tractor with a cabin if possible, for protection from sun, dust and other elements.
• Ensure adequate ventilation and filters and fitted to tractor cabins.

Find out more about this topic on Better Health Channel.

Fast facts:

• If you buy a tractor make sure it is fitted with ROPS. If you have a tractor without ROPS, have one fitted – it could save your life.
• Make sure everyone who uses the tractor is trained in safe operating procedures.
• Do not operate your tractor close to dams, pipes, drains or power lines, on steep slopes or near other potential hazards.
• Drive at a speed where you can stay in control if the conditions change unexpectedly.
• Keep children away from tractors at all times.
• Never carry passengers on a tractor without an instructor seat, ROPS and seatbelts.

Quad bikes

While useful, quad bikes – sometimes called four-wheeler bikes – are not safe for use on all terrains. These vehicles can be unstable and have been involved in a number of farm injuries and deaths, largely as a result of roll-over situations.

Always follow manufacturer’s instructions for vehicle use, wear a helmet and protective clothing when riding and ride in a responsible manner. Never allow children to play on or ride quad bikes. It is recommended that all quad bikes have an operator protective device (OPD) fitted.

Find out more about this topic on Better Health Channel.

View more Worksafe Quad Bike videos.

Fast facts:

• Quad bikes or all terrain vehicles (ATVs) are one of the most common causes of death on Australia farms. 
• Prevent accidents by ensuring all riders are trained and follow safety precautions. 
• Follow manufacturer’s guidelines if you carry extra loads like sprays, as they can affect the balance and stability on your bike. 
• Consider a properly fitted roll over protection structure. 
• Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times when riding a quad bike. 

Noise prevention

Using loud machines and tools on farms – such as tractors, augers, firearms, chainsaws, radios and tools in the workshop – can cause permanent hearing loss if you’re not careful. 

Prolonged exposure to noise levels above 85 decibels (dB) damages the tiny hair cells in the inner ear, leading to irreversible hearing loss. For example, chainsaws can reach up to 120 dB – and that’s so loud that without hearing protection, you could start damaging your ears in just 8 seconds! 

Noise is considered dangerous when:  

• It averages over 85 dB across an eight-hour period. 
• It peaks at 140 dB or higher (e.g. firing a gun). 

Repeated exposure to loud noises over days, weeks, or years compounds the damage, often making hearing loss a slow but permanent process that may go unnoticed until it becomes severe. 

Signs that you may have hearing loss

• You find it hard to hear people talking in noisy places. 
• You don’t always hear your phone ring. 
• Others may say that the TV or radio is too loud, but it sounds fine to you. 
• You’re constantly asking others to repeat what they have just said. 
• You hear ringing in your ears after being near loud equipment (tinnitus). 
• People complain that you talk too loudly. 

How to protect your hearing  

• Can you do the task in a way that reduces your exposure to farm noise? 
• Choose quieter equipment when buying or replacing machinery and tools. 
• Keep machinery well maintained so that it runs as quietly as possible. 
• If possible, rearrange work areas to alter your proximity to loud machines or equipment. 
• Insulate cabins to further reduce noise. 
• Limit the time spent working close to loud machinery. Try rotating work tasks. 
• Download a noise meter app on your phone to check how loud farm equipment, machinery and tools are. 
• Wear Class 5 hearing ear plugs or ear muffs.   
• Make sure you know the correct way to insert and use earplugs. 

Getting your hearing checked 

A hearing test can show how well you hear different sounds. It can help figure out if there’s any hearing loss and how serious it is. You can talk to your doctor, audiologist or hearing specialist to learn more. 

For more info, visit the Better Health Channel to learn how hearing works and when to get tested. 

Fast facts: 

• Loud farm noise can cause permanent hearing loss.
• The best way to protect your ears is to wear proper hearing protection.  
• Ear plugs or ear muffs should be Class 5 and fit securely and comfortably. 

Manual handling

Farming is a very physical occupation and workers can injure themselves by lifting heavy loads such as chemicals, fertiliser, hay bales, buckets, equipment and animals. Most agricultural manual handling injuries involve the back and weight-bearing joints.

Injuries can happen so easily when you are lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying, lowering, holding heavy items or when you are restraining animals, handling stock, or moving equipment or hay.

Manual handling injuries occur through:

• Increased wear and tear or damage from intense or strenuous manual activity
• Gradual wear and tear from ongoing manual activity
• Heavy or awkward lifts (lifting heavy machinery or sheep onto a ute)
• Sudden, unexpected movement (stumbling, tripping or falling when carrying a heavy object).

How to minimise risk of injury

Strain injuries can keep farm workers away from work for weeks at a time, but the risk of injury can be minimised by good lifting techniques and safe working habits.

• Be mindful of your back and joints when handling stock and when lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying, lowering and holding heavy items like equipment and hay
• Use mechanical lifting aids, wheelbarrows, trolleys or get help to lift and carry heavy loads whenever possible. Try to repack big loads to a collection of smaller, lighter loads
• When lifting appropriate loads, it is important to maintain good posture and ensure correct lifting techniques are used to reduce the risk of injury
• Do not forget to warm up cold muscles and stretch before lifting

For more tips, see: Farm safety-manual handling

Find out more about this topic on  Better Health Channel

Fast facts:

• Manual handling accidents and injuries are often caused by lifting heavy objects, including animals incorrectly.
• Always keep the load close to your body, bend your knees (instead of your back) and lift with your thigh muscles. Never lift with your back.
• Organise your work area to reduce the amount of bending, twisting and stretching required.
• Plan ahead. Consider the safest possible ways of lifting, carrying, holding, lowering, pushing, and pulling.

Machinery

Farmers and agricultural workers are at risk of fatal or serious injury while operating or working with tractors, harvesters, sprayers, trucks, side-by-sides, 2-wheel and 4-wheel motorbikes, farm implements and attachments. Ensure all workers are properly inducted and trained in the correct operation of all farm machinery to prevent serious injury.

Machinery that has hydraulic equipment can have extremely high energy as it is used to shift and support large loads. Serious crush injuries can result from normal movement of the hydraulic equipment and when the hydraulic systems fail. Plant arms or equipment can cause injury through rapid movement or slow movement without the worker being aware of the danger.

The spectrum of injury can range from death, serious injury requiring hospitalisation and injury that stops work for a short time, makes work slower and reduces productivity on the farm. All have an impact on the farm business, staff, family and community.

Hazards and risks associated with using farm machinery on Australian farms include:

• Tractor rollover and run over
• Machinery power take offs (PTOs) unguarded
• Hydraulics causing crush injuries
• Ergonomics causing back strain
• Noise induced hearing loss
• Working at heights and stairs causing falls
• Poor operator skills

Recommendations to reduce fatal or serious injury include:

• Maintain farm machinery and related implements and attachments in line with industry standards and manufacturers’ requirements.
• Conduct pre-operational checks in line with the manufacturers’ instructions on all machinery.
• Fit your tractors and quad bikes with approved rollover protective structures (ROPS).
• Ensure all guards are in place, especially power take-off (PTO) guards, and check them regularly for signs of wear and tear.
• Ensure all machinery is fitted with non-slip, side-access steps that are in good condition.
• Do not allow anyone to ride on the steps, or on implements attached to the tractor, while the tractor is moving.
• Do not attempt to board or disembark a moving tractor or machine.
• Ensure workers are properly inducted, trained and supervised, especially inexperienced and young operators.

Find out more about this topic on Better Health Channel

Fast facts:

• Machinery is a major cause of death and traumatic injury on farms, with tractors, augers and quadbikes most often involved.
• Make sure all machinery complies with safety standards and always use guards and shields.
• Ensure all workers or family members are properly inducted and trained in the correct operation of all farm machinery to prevent accidents.
• Children should be kept well clear of machinery and should not be passengers or drive farm machinery.

Farms are high risk workplaces

Farms are among the most dangerous workplaces in Australia. Many factors contribute to this, including the ageing farm workforce, disadvantaged access to medical services and farm workers being more likely to work alone. 

In 2023, agriculture had a work-related fatality rate of 9.2 deaths per 100,000 workers (27 deaths). The five-year average remains higher at 36 deaths per year. Farming continues to be the highest risk occupation. Many farm injury hospital presentations go under-reported or un-reported, making it challenging to accurately capture the true extent of farm-related incidents. 

Since 2001, 1,815 people have been killed on a farm in Australia due to non-intentional injury¹. People aged over 50 years accounted for 53% of incidents, while children under 15 years made up 14%. Males were over-represented, comprising 88% of fatalities.  

According to media monitoring, there were 72 farm fatalities, and 133 non-fatal injuries recorded in Australia in 2024¹. The most common agents of fatality were tractors, quad bikes and side by sides. Similarly, the most common agents of injury were quad bikes, horses, cattle, side by sides, motorbikes and tractors.  

Living on farms creates a unique relationship between home and workplace. Multiple generations may also live together on the farm. While this can have benefits, it can also present risks to health, wellbeing and safety. Children and older farmers are at high-risk of farm fatalities and injury. Farmers can become accustomed to hazards and accept risks as part of everyday life.  

Managing risk: Hierarchy of Controls

Many farm risks can be managed by following the Hierarchy of Control. For example:

• Elimination – removing an old tractor (without appropriate safety features) from the farm.
• Substitution – using smaller sized containers or packaging to reduce heavy loads.
• Engineering controls – redesigning livestock yards to minimise physical interaction with animals.
• Administrative controls – limiting the number of hours worked and include regular breaks to minimise fatigue.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – using correctly fitted earplugs when exposed to high noise environments.

Tips for making your farm safer

• Schedule a farm risk assessment with your local farm safety advisor.
• Create safe play areas for your children.
• Maintain all machinery, equipment and infrastructure with routine service and repairs.
• Simplify farm systems to reduce complexity and confusion.
• Develop a farm safety culture – make safety a normal part of conversations in your farming business.
• Provide everyone with their own PPE and allocate a place for clean storage when not in use.
• Recognise that ‘better beats perfect’ when it comes to safety.

Farmsafe can offer valuable advice and resources. Download the workplace guide to begin the process of creating a safer working farm environment.

Confined spaces

Confined spaces like silos, tanks, manure pits and other enclosed structures present a hazard to farmers, farm workers and children.

When in a silo, a person can be drawn under moving grain within seconds, like ‘quick-sand’. To prevent incidents and reduce the risk of injury, all ladders should be above child height and fitted with a device to prevent child access. Modern silos are now fitted with safety grids to restrict access.

Other confined spaces such as water tanks and manure pits can also be dangerous. It’s essential to follow proper safety procedures when you work in any confined space.

Farm safety – confined spaces

Water tanks, silos, wells, vats, manure pits, tunnels and other confined spaces can suffocate a person with either fumes or low oxygen levels. Farm workers, children and other people entering these spaces are at risk. People making a rescue attempt can also be in danger. Proper safety procedures are vital, including having a rescue plan and appropriate safety equipment.

Find out more about this topic on Better Health Channel

Fast facts:

Confined spaces

• Confined spaces like silos, sewers, manure pits and wells often have low oxygen levels or a build-up of vapours.
• Silos can be particularly dangerous, as people can be suffocated by falling grain or fertiliser.
• Draw up an emergency rescue plan and have safety equipment (like breathing apparatus) available to conduct a safe rescue if someone becomes trapped.
• Always make sure someone knows where you are.

Floods – farm preparation and clean up

Floods can be devastating for farmers. They can also present a health risk for people and animals. Preparing your farm for flood may help to reduce some of the damage.

Make sure you have a flood plan:

• Have 1-2 weeks of non-perishable foods in stock and ensure access to clean drinking water.
• Make sure your insurance covers flood damage.
• Store important documents, photos etc. in an emergency kit that is waterproof.
• Anchor fuel tanks and relocate waste, chemicals and poisons to high areas.
• Relocate pumps to high ground.
• Store electrical tools in highest possible places.
• Know the safest routes out if you need to leave.
• Plan for flash flood and/or slow moving flood events (depending on your location)—these are likely to require different responses.

Farm animals:

• Investigate building refuge mounds with feed and water storage for livestock in flood prone areas.
• Use the flood mound during the year so animals are familiar with it.
• Relocate bulls, stallions and rams when flood alerts are issued, as they cannot be held in confined spaces with other stock.
• Prepare early to move animals with young at foot to higher ground.

Pasture and crops:

• Try to minimise planting crops in flood prone areas.
• Investigate which crops can be sown successfully after a flood.
• Floods spread weeds, so monitor and control weed growth.

After a flood, seek support, both personal and financial, to help you cope. Contact Centrelink and your local relevant government department (e.g. Agriculture Victoria; Rural Assistance Authority NSW; Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry QLD).

Emergencies—floods

Floods are a potential danger for people, animals and property. Flash flooding carries the greatest risk of injury or death. Slow onset flooding can result in major livestock losses and crop damage, significant damage to roads and rail links, and isolation of rural communities. Never walk, swim or drive through floodwaters. You can prepare for floods by devising a household emergency plan. Keep an emergency kit handy and never take unnecessary risks during a flood.

Find out more about this topic on Better Health Channel.

Fast facts:

Floods – farm preparation and clean up

• Prepare your farm for flood, locate buildings on the highest ground and create artificial refuge mounds for animals.
• Have a flood plan and prepare your farm beforehand.
• Listen to local radio and monitor state emergency apps (e.g.Vic Emergency App) for updates and warnings.
• In times of flood, contact your State Department of Agriculture or Primary Industries—relief support may be available.