Overview

Background and Long-Term Strategy

The goal of this program is to improve the health and safety of workers and their families in the farming and fishing industries across Australia. The Collaborative Partnership for Farming and Fishing Health and Safety R&D Plan, 2008-12, reflects stakeholders' priorities for R&D to support profitable, competitive and resilient agricultural industries and rural communities. It builds on research previously undertaken between 2002-2006 for the Joint Research Venture for Farm Health and Safety.

The Program covers physical and mental health and safety issues that are relevant to farming and farm families as well as those working in the fishing industry (both aquaculture and wild-catch sectors). The key target audiences for health and safety information are the business owners, managers and employees, who with their families live on Australian farms and in fishing communities. Improvement in the physical and mental well-being of these groups resulting from investment in R&D and the application of research outputs is the key outcome being pursued. In addition, this program will improve consultation and communication with health professionals and researchers working in the field of rural health and safety.

Key long-term strategies

• Encourage and support the development of networks that facilitate collaboration between RIRDC; rural health agencies, communities; the research, development and extension (RD&E) sector, and users of RIRDC farming and fishing health and safety research results
• Establish baseline data on farming and fishing health and safety and monitor trends
• Identify needs for physical and mental health research, including access to services and how attitudes and lifestyle factors may be contributing to the level of physical health of farmers and fishers and their families
• Invest in priority research to improve health and safety in these occupations
• Develop communication strategies and media for raising awareness of the physical and mental health issues in the farming and fishing industries
• Promote the results of the Collaborative Partnership for Farming and Fishing Health and Safety program and obtain additional partners, particularly amongst the other rural research and development corporations
• Monitor and review the performance of health and safety R&D programs for farming and fishing, including education and promotion.