Cargill assists farm safety efforts
Cargill Australia is continuing its long and valued association with the country’s key farm-safety organisation, Farmsafe Australia. Highlighting the need for a continued effort to improve safety on farms are statistics that paint farming as one of the more dangerous industries in Australia.
Cargill Australia Limited CEO, Ralph Selwood, in presenting a major donation to Farmsafe Australia, said Cargill and Farmsafe have partnered in a number of initiatives since 2004. “The major causes of death and injury to children on farms are related to dams, farm vehicles, ATVs (four-wheeled motorbikes) motorcycles and horses.” “On behalf of all Cargill employees - and as a part of our Cargill Cares community support program - I’ve presented a $47,000 cheque to enable Farmsafe to continue its highly regarded efforts and activities.” Cargill and Farmsafe have partnered in a number of initiatives since 2004, which include: · ‘Get Going’ booklets – showing how to move kids safely on farms · A ‘Safe Play Area on Farms’ campaign · Sponsorship of the ‘Farm Motorbike Safety Competition For High School Students’ and · Production of new school curriculum materials “Ripper II” Mr Selwood said Cargill is pleased to assist the RIPPER II initiative. “The RIPPER II initiative is an education resource for primary schools, providing teachers with evidence-based safety content and learning activities linked to the primary school curriculum of each Australian state and territory.” “As part of its ongoing promotional activity, Farmsafe aims to ensure that every Australia rural primary school teacher and school has ready access to this resource.” “This endeavour is so important, as improving child safety on farms is about saving the lives of tomorrow’s farmers and rural and regional community members, and also preventing the awful consequences for rural families of farm-related accidents and tragedies”.
Farming as an industry has among the highest rates of injury and death in Australia with around 100 fatalities and thousands more admitted to rural hospitals per year. Near one-fifth of farm deaths and injuries occur to children under 15 years of age. Farmsafe Australia is a non-profit organisation, whose vision is for ‘productive Australian farms, free from health and safety risk’. It has a number of funded programs working toward reducing farm accidents. Cargill Australia has a strong commitment to maintaining a safe workplace for its employees and encourages its customers and suppliers to observe safe work practices.
Cargill Australia is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cargill Incorporated. Cargill is an international provider of food, agricultural and risk management products and services. With 158,000 employees in 66 countries, the company is committed to using its knowledge and experience to collaborate with customers to help them succeed.