More than 30 per cent of workplace deaths reportedly occur in the farming industry – employing a mere three per cent of the workforce.

National Rural Health Alliance have reported that one death occurs on a farm every five days.

Chief executive Kim Webber said more than 70 farming related deaths had been reported across Australia in 2015.

“This figure is half the number of deaths of 20 years ago, but we can and must do better,” she said. 

A report found more than half of these deaths were due to farm machinery, quad bike and tractor accidents. 

The biggest risk to children was identified as drowning with an alarming one in five on-farm deaths recorded.

“Safety should never be taken for granted,” Ms Webber said. 

“One moment’s inattention could leave a family and community devastated.

“Be aware and be prepared.”

Ms Webber said farming played an important part in maintaining domestic and export production, contributing to more than $50 billion to Australia’s annual GDP. Yet injuries in the agricultural sector resulted in a loss of more than 270,000 weeks of work, costing industry $438 million across a five years according to Farmsafe Australia.

Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety found 39 dairy related cases last year resulted in an estimated economic loss of $88.6 million.

“Maintaining the health and wellbeing of those who live on the farm and deliver this bounty is critical,” Ms Webber said. 

“To create real change, safety has to become embedded in the farm workforce psyche.

“Awareness must extend to everybody on the property including children.”