Seeding Safety

Seeding is just around the corner! As you prepare to go head first into the 2025 season, make sure you prioritise safety on your farm. Planning is the key to safely navigating busy seasons in agriculture. 

We’ve put together some safety considerations for you as a reminder during seeding. 

Chemicals

• Develop and implement a Hazardous Chemical Process that streamlines the management of hazardous chemicals on your farm. 

• Ensure you keep an up to date register of all chemicals you use or have stored. 

• Have safety data sheets for all chemicals readily available and accessible. 

• For each chemical you have on your farm, conduct a risk assessment. 

• Ensure everyone who handles the chemicals wears the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). The highest level of PPE should be provided.

• All people handling chemicals should be properly trained and provided with information and instruction. 

Machinery 

• You're likely to be employing casual staff during seeding, ensure all new and existing staff are properly trained regarding safe machinery operation and maintenance. 

• Implement safety controls like guarding parts, safety switches and proper maintenance. PTO covers should be on all rotating parts and guards are on all moving parts, chains, shafts, gears etc and regularly checked. 

• Ensure everyone is aware of the location of ditches, embankments and depressions in each paddock to be seeded. 

• Develop safe operation procedures regarding the movement of vehicles and machinery. 

• Check lights, brakes and handbrakes are fully operational. 

General

• Ensure children are kept away from machinery and mobile plant. 

• Ensure there are fully operational and clear lines of communication between operators and management. 

• Everyone should be fully aware of the height and width of machinery. 

• Plan for adequate rest and sleep breaks in order to manage fatigue. 

• Know where all workers are working and the approximate time they will return. 

• Ensure that emergency response plans are in place, and workers have been trained in these plans.

Happy seeding 2025 everyone!