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| Rural Industries |
The health and safety
of the rural work force is not only a key factor in industry productivity
but is also integral to achieving the Government's aim, through
the rural research and development programs, to improve the well
being of Australians.
Health and safety is reflected in the farm business
as a cost associated with workers compensation, accident insurance,
absenteeism and, all too often, death from tractor accidents,
etc. Social costs accrue from stress, allergies, loss of physical
or mental ability and from family break-up, etc.
The Corporation has determined a need to actively
support community farm safety groups and the extension of Worksafe
Australia programs within the rural community.
RIRDC's achievements in this area include funding
an investigation of personal protection equipment for farm safety
by the Kondinin Group, who found that 36% of farm chemical users
surveyed suffered ill effects from using agricultural products.
Kondinin are producing a comprehensive handbook for farmers to
help reduce the number of farm injuries.
RIRDC also supported a study into the hidden costs of farm health and safety, which found that the average cost of farm accidents was just over $1,000, with one in four farms experiencing this loss every year.
Last updated: 10 October 1996
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Index of RIRDC Projects URL
http://www.rirdc.gov.au/pub/compendium/93-94/index.html