The rates of child farm-related injury in rural Australia have remained constant over the last 20 years, despite ongoing efforts to reduce them according to the National Centre for Farmer Health.
This is concerning, as injuries are largely preventable.
Deakin University research student Jessie Adams is conducting a study to investigate how the common behaviours, attitudes and lifestyles on Victorian farms are contributing to these injury rates.
“There is a romantic view that farms are healthy places for children to grow and develop, and they can be. However, they are also a work environment consisting of many hazards and dangers not typically present at most homes,” Ms Adams said.
“We know being involved in the family farm is part of growing up on the farm, but Australian research is yet to understand children’s exposure to occupational hazards, their risk-taking behaviours or to what extent common safety measures are being used on farms.
“This study will give us important insight into the context of children’s experiences on Victorian farms and help develop targeted ways to prevent fatal and non-fatal child injuries.”
The study is seeking the involvement of rural Victorian children aged 5 to 14 years, who live on a farm or visit a farm regularly (at least twice in the last year), as well as their parents.
Participating will involve the completion of an online survey. Parents will be asked to fill out the first section of the survey, children will then be asked to complete the second section.
The contributions of parents and children will be invaluable in assisting to reduce child farm-related injuries.
To find out more information and access the survey please visit the National Centre for Farmer Health webpage injury risk and safety behaviours of children on Victorian farms or access the survey link directly researchsurveys.deakin.edu.au/jfe/form/SV_e50fTR30RDKn9H0
