WFI Insurance Reports Significant Decline in Farm Liability Claims

Andrew Beer, Executive General Manager at WFI, highlighted that heavy machinery and large animals remain key risks on farms. He noted that self-managed repairs to broken machinery are a leading cause of injury, often due to machinery not being properly disengaged. Fatigue and loss of concentration frequently contribute to these incidents, as do omitting important safety steps to finish tasks quickly. "We have seen horrific life-changing injuries," Mr. Beer said. "We see first-hand the adverse outcomes when things go wrong on farms, where events can unfold quickly and often in remote locations."

In the first six months of this year, there were 30 deaths and 74 injuries on farms, compared to 32 deaths and 122 injuries in the whole of last year. This improvement suggests that Australian farmers are adopting more effective safety practices, leading to fewer accidents and injuries.

WFI's claims data for the past five years shows that cuts have been the main injury type, comprising almost one-third of claims, followed by fractures (19%) and soft tissue injuries (17%). The insurer's recent partnership with Farmsafe Australia aims to further promote safer work practices on farms, reinforcing the importance of education and risk awareness in preventing accidents.

These developments underscore the critical role of proactive safety measures in the agricultural sector and reflect a shared commitment to the wellbeing of farming communities across Australia.