Edition 28, May 2016

N e w s l e t t e r o f P r o a c t i v e A g r i c u l t u r a l S a f e t y & S u p p o r t I n c

CONTENTS

PASS it on

About PASS Inc Management Committee:Chair: Anne Taylor OAMVice–Chair: Kathy HenryTreasurer: Kathy HenrySecretary: Olivia SkirvingCommittee Members: Chris Coker Nathan Cox Michael HartEditor: Jan Foote

Email: info@pass.org.au Mobile: 0414 839 833

ABN. 98701563826This and previous editions of the newsletter can be downloaded from our website www.pass.org.au

Disclaimer: The content & views expressed in the articles in this newsletter are those of the author & are not necessarily the opinion or views of PASS Inc or its members or sta!.

Every care has been taken no responsibility is accepted for non-insertion of material or typographical or printing errors.

Acceptance of an advertisement does not imply endorsement of any service or product by PASS Inc nor does PASS Inc support any claims made by the advertisers.

All materials in this publication are covered by copyright & must not be reproduced without written permission. Copyright © 2016

Contact: For a membership form and more details contact Anne Taylor (Chairman) 6398 6212Anne Hammersley (Admin Assistant)

If you would like to help PASS to save lives – become a member

With thanks to PASS Inc sponsors:SILVER

BRONZE

Check out the website www.pass.org.au

REMEMBERACCIDENTS HURT SAFETY DOESN'T

SAFE INJECTING ! PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR LIVESTOCK

Some veterinary products used by farmers to vaccinate animals are harmful to humans. All precautions should be taken to prevent accidental self-injection with any animal vaccine.Accidental self-injection or a scratch from a needle or the vaccine spilling on skin or an open wound (e.g. from a thistle prickle) may result in time o! work, surgery and a lot of pain. To reduce the risk of a needle stick injury:• Always read the safety instructions on the label and

pamphlet before using the product.• Keep animals well restrained or immobilized.• Keep the work area free of obstacles to reduce the

risk of slips, trips and falls.• Keep control of the vaccinator gun. Do not let it hang

freely.• Always remove needles with pliers and dispose into

a secure container.• Use a safe delivery method at the recommended

injection site.• Use a safe vaccinator gun that is in good working

order.• Wear a glove if you have fresh wounds on your hands. • Wear personal protective equipment to avoid getting

the vaccine in eyes, on skin, or on clothing. If you accidentally self-inject:• Implement the "rst aid instructions on the label and

product pamphlet.• Immediately visit a GP for antibiotics (needles are

rarely clean) and anti-in#ammatories and to check your tetanus status.

• Take the product package and pamphlet with you.

• If pain persists after medical examination, seek medical advice again.

• Be referred onto a specialist.Extra special care is required when using veterinary products with an oil adjuvant as it can cause serious localised irritation to the tissues. Some of the vaccines that are known to have been harmful to humans include: • Sheep – Guidar, Ovilis CampyVax,• Cattle – Silirum, Vibrovax, Bovi-Sheild MH-ONE,

Piliguard, • Pigs - Improvax, Respisure, Neovac,• Chickens – Poulvac IBD, Poulvac pabac IV, Poulvac

Newcastle IK,• Horses – Duvaxyn R (for pregnant horses by vets

only).More Information:http://pass.org.au/safe-e"ective-injecting-livestock http://www.rirdc.gov.au/news/2016/02/03/safer-kode-of-practice-needed-for-vaccinating-livestock17 minute Youtube video of Launceston Plastic surgeon Dr Gary Kode’s presentation to Nu$eld National Conference November 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVVjGyqMFEY&index=29&list=PLWdEyVDhYCcIDCEwgn2kp_9nYeNMrDBAr • Zoetis: www.zoetis.com.au / product / species• Coopers: http://www.coopersanimalhealth.

com.au • APVMA: https://portal.apvma.gov.au/pubcris

Chemicals that may cause hearing loss or damage are called ototoxic chemicals. A number of medications and common industrial chemicals may cause hearing loss or exacerbate the e!ects of noise.For an ototoxic chemical to a!ect the hearing system, it "rst has to enter the bloodstream, either by being inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through skin. The chemical then circulates to the blood vessels supplying the inner ear and damages the cells. Hearing damage is more likely if exposure is to a combination of chemicals or to a combination of the chemicals and noise.Which Chemicals Might Damage Hearing?Some ototoxic chemicals include: • Solvents in paints, thinners, glues and degreasers –

e.g. toluene, xylene, n-hexane, ethyl benzene and trichloroethylene.

• Lead in old paint, solder or batteries. • Styrene in resins .• Carbon monoxide in engine exhaust (may increase

hearing loss for workers also exposed to noise).

What can be done?• Read the label & Safety Data sheet to "nd out what is

in the chemical product.• Choose water based products instead of solvent

based products.• Follow the safety directions for the chemical.• Protect your hearing from noise - use quieter tools

and wear hearing protection. • Protect your hearing when not at work - turn down

the music volume, use earplugs at loud concerts and when using noisy tools.

More Information:http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/worksafe/ototoxic-chemicals-chemicals-result-hearing-loss Safe Work Australia released the Code of Practice “Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work” in September 2015 http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/swa/about/publications/pages/managing-noise-preventing-hearing-loss-cop

CHEMICALS CAN CAUSE HEARING LOSS

Safe Injecting 1

Chemicals Can Cause Hearing Loss 1

Inoculate Them The Right Way 2

Falling and Farm Injuries 2

Tips to Minimise the Risks of Falling 2

How Many of Us Have Died? 3

Chairman’s Word 4

What's New 4

Did You Know 4

REMEMBER A SAFE BUSINESS IS A GOOD BUSINESS

2 INJECTION SITES # INOCULATE THEM THE RIGHT WAY

Safely injecting animals is vital for both your own safety and the health and value of your $ock.

The correct selection of an injection site is crucial for:

• the maximum e!ectiveness and absorption of the vaccine

• minimal damage to the carcass and

• the maximum dollars earned for the carcass.

For example:

The only recommended site for Gudair,™ the vaccine for Ovine Johnes disease (OJD) in sheep, is an under the skin (subcutaneous) injection into the loose skin behind the ear high on the neck.

Photo credit: http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0014/202433/AG1133.jpg

Gudair™ vaccine may cause a lump at the site of vaccination in some animals. Vaccination behind the ear at the recommended site reduces the risk of this lump downgrading the value of the carcass at slaughter. The abattoir reports damaged carcasses are down graded as the damaged area has to be excised. A lamb injected in the brisket or rump or hind leg will have the whole limb removed, which reduces the price paid for that carcass.

Safety Advice:

http://pass.org.au "Safe & E!ective Injecting of Livestock" at Useful Stu!.

http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/forms-and-publications/forms-and-publications/sheep-wasting-disease-ojd-prevention-vaccination-needle-stick-injuries

Cattle: http://www.v".org.au/v"/Documents/Livestock%20Resources/Factsheet_Livestock_General%20Cattle%20Vaccines.pdf Subcutaneous Injection

The subcutaneous injection (below the skin) is the most common method of vaccination. It is important to have a one handed technique for those vaccines that are harmful to humans, with the free hand held well away from the vaccinator gun. This technique ensures you won’t inject yourself with anything nasty.

There are several di!erent vaccinator guns on the market. Some have a retracted needle, others are best used with a short needle that only penetrates the skin and does not enter the muscle.

Zoetis, the company that markets Gudair recommends using the "xed 1mL Sekurus vaccinator to administer Gudair.

FALLING AND FARM INJURIES

One of the major risks of aging is the increased likely hood of falling. Falls often result in serious injury, including admission to hospital or fatality. Falling around or o! hazardous farm equipment can contribute to injury or death. It pays to minimize the opportunity to fall around a farm.

Preventing falls in older people is important

Slips trips and falls can lead to sprains, strains and broken bones. For instance:

• While getting on and o! tractors and machinery

• Falling o! unstable ladders and

• Tripping on obstacles lying on the ground

More Information

Good resources are:

The “Preventing Falls in Older Farmers” booklets which includes a falls risk assessment checklist can downloadable from http://www.aghealth.org.au/tinymce_fm/uploaded/falls_resource.pdf The information Sheet: "Making Work Easier for Older Farmers" which can be downloaded from the link -

http://www.aghealth.org.au/tinymce_fm/uploaded/fs_docs/fact%20sheets/making_work_easier_for_older_farmers_information_sheet_october_2014.pdf

TIPS TO MINIMISE THE RISKS OF FALLING

This injector allows for single-handed subcutaneous injection and greatly mitigates the risk of accidental self-injection. It has several safety features:

• A needle shroud, which covers the needle at rest.

• The front shroud’s uneven surface “tents” the sheep skin which when used on the correct site reduces the risk of site reactions.

• The injector can only be activated once the shroud has been pushed back (against the animal’s skin at the injection site) and both halves of the trigger/plunger action are depressed.

Needles

Don’t go on vaccine guns any old how. http://www.brahman.com.au/technical_information/general/vaccineGuns.html tells you how to use your vaccine gun.

A needle is a pipe cut at an angle with razor sharp leading edges. The objective when vaccinating is to get the opening of the needle resting between the skin and the underlying tissues. This is achieved by orientating the needle so that at entry it is at about 45° to the skin. THE BEVEL OF THE NEEDLE IS PARALLEL WITH THE SKIN.

Graphic credit:

http://www.brahman.com.au/images/information/technical/general/Needle.jpg

Prevent slips and trips by

1. Ensuring access and exit equipment on machinery, buildings and tractors is well designed and maintained.

2. Steps should be easy to access, have non-slip surfaces, good footholds. Contaminants such as mud and dirt should not be allowed to build up. Grating type steps provide the highest slip resistance and shed contaminants well.

3. Handrails should be easy to reach and hold, be a contrasting colour so they can be seen easily and have surfaces that provide a high level of friction.

4. Steps and handrails should be maintained so they are in good condition and poorly designed equipment should be replaced.

5. Good visibility is important and can be improved by using contrasting colours on the edge of steps and providing lights on and around the steps. Good lighting in darker areas such as storage or packing sheds and workshops is essential.

Managing safety is not expensive. Not managing

safety can be costly.

Take control of safety on your farm today - and look forward to tomorrow

3HOW MANY OF US HAVE DIED?

Tasmanian Farm Fatality Data 2001-2015*These "gures show the farm fatalities from the last "fteen years, (1st January – 30 December) as sourced from the National Coroner’s Information System in March 2016. The "rst two tables show the breakdown by gender and by age.Gender

Gender 2001-2005 2006-2010 2011-2015 All YearsMale 26 20 20 66Female 2 2 3 7TOTAL 28 22 23 73

Over the 2001-2015 period there was an average of 4.9 fatal incidents per year, with males accounting for 90% of cases. Age

Age 2001-2005 2006-2010 2011-2015 All Years0-9 5(3) 2(1) 7(4)10-19 6 1 1 820-29 2 6 2 1030-39 2 - - 240-49 1 1 1 350-59 7 3 2 1260-69 2 3 9 1470-79 3 4 6 1380-89 2 1 390+ 1 1TOTAL 28 22 23 73

Figures in brackets represent children 0-4 years.

Children under 10 years of age account for 10% of all cases. While those aged 60-69 feature most prominently of any single age group (19%), overall 59% of all cases involve those 50 years and over. These relative proportions are highly comparable to the national data on all Australian farm fatalities.This data also gives the causes of death, allowing us to see the most common reasons for accidental deaths on farms.Causes of Fatalities

Cause No. Cases

Tractor 21Quad 10Dam (other water) 5Tree felling 6Motorbike 5Powerlines 4Utility 3

The leading "ve causal agents (tractors, quad bikes, water, tree felling and motorbikes) account for over half of all fatal cases (64%). These major causal agents are again similar to the national data that show the same relative proportions, with the exception of tree felling.

Causes of Death Broken Down by Years

Cause 2001-2005 2006-2010 2011-2015

All Years

Tractors 6 7 (1) 8 21Quads 6 - 4 10Tree-felling 1 1 4 6Dam (other) 3 (2) 2 - 5Motorbike 1 3 1 5TOTAL 17 13 17 47

Figures in brackets represent children 0-4 years.

Tractor and quad bike accidents continue to be the leading causes of farm fatalities in Tasmania. The "gures do not suggest the numbers of accidents are declining.Causes of Death Broken Down by Age

Age Tractors Quads Tree felling

Dam Motorbike TOTAL

0-9 1 (1) 2 3 (2) 6 (3)10-19 1 1 2 420-29 1 1 3 530-39 1 140-49 2 250-59 6 2 1 960-69 5 1 4 1070-79 4 3 1 880-89 1 190+ 1 1TOTAL 21 10 6 5 5 47MEDIAN AGE

66 55 64 5 23

Figures in brackets represent children 0-4 years.

This Tasmanian information strongly re#ects national data in showing the ages (and median ages) of those killed by the major causes of farm fatalities. Tractors predominantly involve older farmers, while the opposite is true for drowning cases. Quad bike deaths have cohorts of both younger and older persons (with few in those mid-years i.e. 20-50 age group). Deaths from tree felling are dominated by older persons, while fatalities involving motorbikes are concentrated in the 15-30 year age groups.Work-RelatednessOverall, 51 or 66% of the cases were work-related with 22 not related to work.Fatalities by Agricultural RegionThe following is based on approximations of the agricultural regional boundaries.

Agricultural Region Tasmania

# Fatalities Leading Causes

West and North-West 21 Tractor (7), quad (3), motorbike (3), tree felling (2), dam (1)

Northern 32 Tractor (9), quad (5), powerlines (4), motorbike (2), dam (2), tree felling (1)

Southern 16 Tractor (4), ute (3), quad (2), dam (2), tree felling (1)

Locations are currently unavailable for 4 open cases.

Cause No. Cases

Other plant 3Car 2Truck 2Firearm 1Cattle 1Horse -Other 10TOTAL 73

CommentThe (thankfully) small numbers of cases preclude any de"nitive statements in relation to trends over time in Tasmania for each of the "ve leading causal agents. However it is clear from these statistics that those over 50 years of age working on farms are at greatest risk of being fatally injured. Why is this so? It could be a combination of many factors that include the normal aging factors of decreased agility, strength, mobility, balance, hearing, and eyesight disturbances which all contribute to the increased risk.*The data is sourced from the National Coroners Information System (March 5, 2016) by the Australian Centre for Agricultural Health & Safety (ACAHS). This data includes all on-farm injury deaths (work and non-work), but excludes intentional cases (suicide) and home (farm house) cases. Further work on collecting information is in progress

Now when farmers are not so busy is the time to plan for the future and to implement change. We can plan for the busy times on the farm, review our safety procedures and provide training. Life is full of change.

The time has come to PASS to announce that Proactive Agricultural Safety & Support Inc. is passing away. This will be our last newsletter. After 9 busy years the organisation is to disband.

PASS began in 2007. Our aim was to heighten safety awareness on Tasmanian farms and develop collaborative partnerships with all stakeholders of safety on Tasmanian farms.

All the PASS committee members (past and present) intimately understand the challenges inherent in complying with the legislation and to easily and e$ciently implement safety management procedures. We have tried to reduce the risk of harm not only to our family, contractors and employees when working on our farms, but also our visitors, of whom there are many.

PASS has really appreciated the support of all our sponsors. We extend a special thank you to our inaugural sponsors who have supported us for the full 9 years. Tasmanian Alkaloids, GlaxcoSmithKline (now SUN Pharma), TasNetworks (Aurora & Transend) and TP Jones. Without them we would not have been able to achieve many of our activities and especially this newsletter.

Other sponsors have been WorkCover Tasmania, (WorkSafe Tasmania), William Adams, Koppers, Impact Fertilizers, Southern Farming Systems, Serve Ag, WHK accountants, TasRail, Fonterra and CGU.

It has been most satisfying and rewarding to have had the opportunity to be Chairperson of the PASS committee. All the committees have been great teams. Kathy Henry, the vice chair since inception, has been tireless in her dedication and commitment to all PASS activities. I thank her for her unwavering support.

So now it is over to each and everyone - farmers, their families and contractors to continue sharing their “Near Miss” stories so we can all learn how to prevent a re-occurrence of the incident. Please remember, “If it is possible it will happen - - - eventually” and “the consequence of unsafe behaviour is best avoided”.

I trust you now all automatically and securely wear a helmet whenever riding a quad bike, motorbike, horse or bicycle. There are no second chances when a head is injured.

IN THE FUTUREFor information and guidance on your current and future agricultural safety and health issues and needs PASS suggests contacting:

• Farmsafe Australia www.farmsafe.org.au FSA is the peak farm safety body in Australia with farmers as Chair and Vice Chair. Board members represent relevant agencies in most states, the NFF and Australian Centre of Agricultural Health and Safety (ACAHS). ACAHS www.aghealth.org.au performs the research and gathers evidence to guide informed decisions. Farmsafe Western Australia http://farmsafewa.org is particularly active with many programs for farmers.

• WorkSafe Tasmania: To book an appointment with an advisor for personal and con"dential discussion and guidance or assistance on implementing safety management for farm businesses visit: http://worksafe.tas.gov.au/safety/safety_advisors or for primary industry guidance visit http://worksafe.tas.gov.au/safety/industry/agriculture_forestry_%shing

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4 CHAIRMAN'S WORD• National Centre for Farmer Health http://www.

farmerhealth.org.au Based in Hamilton Victoria this organisation has a large range of fact sheets on health and safety.

Media Monitors ReportsThe Media Monitors report with data on fatalities and serious injuries on Australian farms in 2015 can be viewed at: http://aghealth.org.au/index.php?id=111

There is also a separate report on Quad Bike fatalities. The next Media Report will be released after 30 June 2016 in time for National Farm Safety week 18 – 23 July.

As at 9 May nationally there have been 19 on-farm deaths in 2016 with just one on-farm quad death. However there have been a further three o!-farm quad bike deaths of which one was a farmer on a road between paddocks.

Sadly one of those on-farm deaths was an elderly Tasmanian farmer as a result of an involvement with a piece of machinery. The PASS committee extends our condolences to his family, colleagues and community.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Australian Quad bike safety research video published on Aug 2, 2015 can be viewed at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dNwJSIWjVU&feature=youtu.be Thermal Imaging of Metre BoxesDetects faults before they impact and hence prevents machinery or electrical equipment failures. This avoids repairs and down time of equipment such as water pumps. It also reduces the risk of harm to people. Contact your electrical contractor to arrange the service.

Primary Industries Health and Safety Partnership is funded by several research & development organizations: - (RIRDC, GRDC, Fisheries RDC, Australian Meat Processor Association, MLA, and the Cotton RDC) to undertake RD & Education activities that improve the health and safety of workers and their families in the farming and "shing industries across Australia.

The PIHSP news states:• Feb 2016: Any change that’s likely to reduce quad

bike related deaths and injuries on-farm is a positive step for agriculture.

• May 2016: Safety technology such as BladeStop™ band saws are reducing lost production time and injuries in the Australian meat processing sector

For more information and to access their publications visit: http://www.rirdc.gov.au/research-programs/rural-people-issues/primary-industries-health-and-safety-partnership WorkSafe Tasmania website has Sample Safe Work Procedures that can be downloaded and adapted for your speci"c tasks and workplace.

http://worksafe.tas.gov.au/safety/safety_advisors/sample_safe_work_procedures

WHAT’S NEW?2017 Farmsafe Australia conference will be held in Cairns most probably on 2nd – 4th August 2017 with the theme: “Creating a resilient, safe and healthy agricultural community.”

Induction Tool for Farm Workers updated April 2016 is now downloadable from www.farmsafe.org.au

A USB with safety tools and resources is available from Farming Safely in Tasmania with information organized by industry and issue (such as quad bike safety). To view visit http://worksafe.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_%le/0020/340508/Farming_SafelyT.PDF To request the USB, contact Phil John on mobile: 0407 015 400 or email phillip.john@dpipwe.tas.gov.au

Safety Alert: Guards and discs on angle grinders -

Released March 2016 after one worker was killed and another worker cut his wrist.

Angle grinders can cause horri"c injuries to the user or those nearby from discs disintegrating, jumping, jamming, gyroscopic e!ects and the use of incorrect or incompatible discs. All these problems are exacerbated if the guards are removed or modi"ed.

https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/news/safety-alerts/whsq/2016/guards-and-discs-on-angle-grindersAPVMA appInformation in the PUBCRIS and Permits databases are now available in a free mobile app for iPhone (and should be generally suitable for iPad users as well).

The APVMA mobile app features:

• The ability to browse the database by category—agricultural, veterinary, household, pool chemicals and other industry products—or use the A-Z listing.

• Access to information about stopped, cancelled, suspended and archived products.

• Enhanced search features and will o!er suggestions from partially completed search terms.

• A favourites option for fast retrieval in the future.

• The ability to email search results for selected product.

Glyphosate UpdateWorkSafe Victoria released updates on Glyphosate use in February 2016:

In March 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) announced that it had reclassi"ed the herbicide glyphosate, from 'possibly carcinogenic to humans' (Group 2B) to 'probably carcinogenic to humans' (Group 2A). In contrast, a subsequent assessment by the European Food Safety Agency concluded that glyphosate is unlikely to pose a carcinogenic hazard to humans and that the evidence does not support classi"cation with regard to its carcinogenic potential.

View the information sheet: Information sheet

http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/info/home?collection=worksafe-knowledge-centre-web&query=Glyphosate+herbicides&mobilequery

And get a copy of the checklist “Using Farm Chemicals Safely”

http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/info/home?query=Using+Farm+Chemicals+Safely&collection=worksafe-knowledge-centre-web

GOODBYE AND THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT