22 July 2025
This National Farm Safety Week, CropLife Australia is urging farmers to keep safety front of mind and commit to simple, practical steps to protect themselves, their families, and their workers every day on the land.
The theme of this year’s campaign “Second Chances – Who Knows How Many You’ll Get?” shines a light on the countless near misses that occur on Australian farms and reinforces the importance of best-practice in every task, no matter how routine.
“Every year, too many preventable accidents happen on farms,” said CropLife Australia Chief Executive Officer Matthew Cossey. “No matter what the job, it’s critical to stop, think and put safety first with every decision.”
“Thankfully Australia has an enviable record of safe chemical use on farms, reflected in the very low rates of workplace incidents. This is underpinned by robust regulatory and compliance systems that are specifically designed to protect worker safety and support effective on-farm practices,” said Mr Cossey
To manage risk when handling pesticides, all product users should follow these key tips:
Always follow the label
Pesticide labels approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) carry strict conditions of use on the label that are legally binding. They contain crucial instructions for proper handling, application, protective equipment, and disposal.
Only purchase products approved by the APVMA
Make sure you’re purchasing legitimate, lawful and quality-assured crop protection products that have undergone rigorous independent health and safety testing.
Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Always wear appropriate PPE, such as gloves, goggles and chemical proof protective boots, aprons and respirators, in line with the product instructions to protect yourself and others.
Store and Dispose of Pesticides Properly
Store chemicals securely, in designated areas away from children, animals, and food. Contact CropLife’s not-for-profit stewardship services provider, Agsafe for safe disposal and recycling services including:
Invest in best-practice training and resources
Ensure that anyone involved in pesticide transport, storage, handling and application receive proper training and information. Ensure all staff and contractors handling pesticides are properly trained. CropLife’s SprayBest and MyAgCHEMuse resources help optimise the safe and effective use of crop protection products, while Agsafe offers training for chemical retailers and transporters.
“Farm Safety Week is a timely reminder that good safety practices are good business practices,” Mr Cossey concluded. “There is never a good time or excuse to cut corners when it comes to using safe crop protection products safely. Doing so safeguards not only workers and the environment but also ensures continued access to these critical tools for Australian agriculture.”
For more information on CropLife’s StewardshipFirst suite of best-practice programs and resources for product application, visit stewardshipfirst.com.au.
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Contact: Elyse Denman | 0459 550 010 | elyse.denman@croplife.org.au