SafeWork is piloting a 12-month farm safety training program offering free online AgCard training to up to 1,000 agricultural workers. The program is designed to build foundational safety knowledge while helping shape future farm safety education.
The AgCard program is being promoted in NSW through a collaboration between SafeWork and Farmsafe Australia. It is designed to help farm employers and employees identify and manage workplace health and safety risks.
Participants register online and receive an email link to complete the training at a time that suits them. SafeWork advises allowing about two hours to complete the course, after which participants receive an AgCard Certificate of Completion.
The pilot will also include follow-up contact and an evaluation survey to gather feedback on the training, knowledge gained and any changes participants have made or plan to make to improve farm safety.
SafeWork says agriculture accounts for around one in five workplace deaths in NSW. Over the past decade, the sector has recorded more than 92 worker fatalities, 28,000 workers' compensation claims and more than $850 million in compensation payments.
The 12-month pilot aims to reach up to 1,000 agricultural workers and will be evaluated for effectiveness and industry uptake. SafeWork notes that completing AgCard does not replace the need for a site-specific farm safety induction.
Official source: SafeWork NSW – Homepage Announcements