Why knowing first aid is essential to your farm safety plan

Smart, safe, ready: First aid training for farming businesses

Farming is more than a job — it’s a way of life — but it’s also one that comes with risks. From machinery mishaps to unexpected medical emergencies, rural life can throw curveballs when you least expect them. That's why being prepared with the right first aid knowledge isn’t just helpful, it’s essential.

Think about if a family member suddenly collapsed, or if a worker was bitten by a snake, or was injured in a machinery accident? Would you know what to do — or could you keep someone alive — until medical help arrived?

As we head toward National Farm Safety Week (14 – 20 July 2025), it’s timely to reflect on the importance of being prepared to deal with on-farm accidents and emergencies, as part of your wider farm safety plan.

Safety & first aid on the farm - why it matters

Last year, during Farm Safety Week, we spoke with Nick Ennis from Lawson Grains and Scott Brown, Owner and Senior Instructor at Rural and Remote First Aid, about why safety and knowing how to provide first aid on-farm matters (Listen to the full podcast Plain Talking: First Aid on Farm).

In the podcast, Nick Ennis talks about why safety needs to be a priority saying, “safety is not about protecting you from something, safety is about protecting you for something…that thing that you want to go home to at the end of the day,”.

Farming is not your average nine to five job. Whether you, or your workers, are fencing in the back paddock, handling livestock, or working with heavy machinery, the risks on-farm are real and unpredictable. For many farmers the closest hospital is more than a five-minute drive away, so here’s why first aid training is an essential part of your farm safety plan:

You’re often the first responder

In a town or city, you call an ambulance, and they’re often there within minutes. On-farm is a different story. Having the skills to stop bleeding, treat a burn, perform CPR or manage shock could save a life, or prevent life-long injuries.

As Scott Brown reminds us in the podcast, “If someone suffers from a reasonably impactful injury or illness, their outcome is determined by the care they get in the first hour.”

A sobering statistic is that more than 32,000 people experience a cardiac arrest in Australia each year. Knowing how to perform CPR and how to operate an automated external defibrillator (AED) can greatly increase survival rates if commenced quickly (within around four minutes).

Given the remoteness of many farms, having the skills to apply first aid, or perform CPR and use a defibrillator, could literally make a life-changing difference for someone in your world.

Farm injuries are common, first aid training puts a focus on prevention

From snake bites, allergic reactions, asthma, or heat stress to bike accidents, chemical exposure or machinery incidents, the impact of on-farm incidents is huge.

The latest data released by AgriFutures Australia and collated by AgHealth Australia has revealed a sharp rise in on-farm fatalities and serious injuries, with 72 lives lost and 133 serious injuries recorded in 2024. Each of these statistics represents real people and families impacted in life-changing ways.

While having up to date first aid knowledge helps you act quickly and confidently when needed, good first aid training also teaches you how to spot risks before accidents happen. It helps you think more critically about farm layout, signage, protective gear and everyday actions that could use a safety ‘tidy up’.

A critical part of farm safety is communicating and reporting incidents or near misses — which can then prevent future accidents. In the podcast, Nick Ennis reflects, “If you see something that happens and you think…that could have been really damaging or hurt someone, put your hand up and say this is no good. We need to let other people know that this has happened, so it can't happen again.”

Duty of care (first aid) & training opportunities

Farmers, as employers (i.e. a person conducting a business or undertaking – PCBU), have a duty of care to provide a safe working environment for their workers, contractors, and visitors. This includes a legal obligation to provide access to first aid equipment and facilities, and ensuring a sufficient number of people have undergone first aid training within the workplace.

To support farmers and their families in building these vital skills, Riverine Plains is hosting First Aid training for the second year running . Tailored specifically to those working in agriculture and living in regional and rural areas, the training is delivered by Rural and Remote First Aid, ensuring that if something goes wrong, and you are a long way from help, you know what to do and how to do it (see end of article for upcoming dates).

Leading by example

As business operators, it’s also really important to set a positive safety example. This means not only following safety procedures yourself but also making sure others do too.

If you run a family farm or employ staff, setting clear expectations around safety, risk management, and how to respond when things go wrong is essential. Some tips include:

Encouraging open conversations about safety.
Regularly reviewing and updating safety practices.
Making sure everyone has access to first aid training and resources.
Prioritising safety in everyday tasks and decisions.
Always communicating near misses or incidents.

Ensuring that you, your family and staff have up to date first aid training shows that you’re serious about the well-being of everyone on the farm and that safety is more than just a box to tick.

Take the next step - training opportunities

Investing time in first aid training is investing in your safety and the well-being of those around you. Don’t wait for an emergency to realise the importance of being prepared.

Riverine Plains is hosting First Aid training, delivered by Rural and Remote First Aid, at Yalca and Rutherglen during July, 2025.

Designed specifically for those living and working in rural settings, these hands-on sessions focus on real life scenarios you might encounter on the farm. Walk away feeling more confident, capable, and prepared for an emergency that may come your way.