Recently, SafeWork NSW announced that inspectors will be visiting agricultural businesses across NSW from March through to May as part of a campaign aimed at strengthening safety compliance and supporting safer farming practices. Inspectors will be focusing on areas such as machinery safety, operator training, vehicle rollover protection and the safe separation of people and machinery.

While this initiative is focused on NSW, it reflects a broader trend across agriculture. Safety expectations on farms are continuing to rise across Australia.

For many growers, the challenge isn’t understanding that safety matters — it’s knowing where to start.

Running a cotton operation means juggling machinery, contractors, seasonal workers and the pressures of the growing season. Safety systems can quickly become something that sits on the to-do list, not because growers don’t care, but because there simply isn’t enough time in the day.

Working alongside farms across Australia, we often see that the biggest challenge isn’t willingness to improve safety, it’s knowing where to begin.

If a SafeWork inspector arrived on your farm tomorrow, would you feel confident your systems would pass the test?

For some businesses the answer is yes. For many others, there’s a sense that things are mostly in place but perhaps not clearly documented or consistently applied.

The good news is that improving farm safety doesn’t mean overhauling your entire operation. Often it comes down to focusing on a few key areas that make the biggest difference.

Five areas regulators consistently focus on

Across agriculture, inspections commonly focus on a small number of recurring risks:

1. Machinery safety
   Guarding, maintenance and safe operating procedures and ensuring these are documented.
2. Vehicle safety
   Ensuring bikes and UTV’s are fitted with ROPS and that seatbelts are used, continues to save lives.
3. Worker and contractor inductions
   Everyone arriving on your farm should understand the key risks and safety expectations, and have this documented for all parties.
4. Separation of people and machinery
   This becomes particularly important during busy operational periods when multiple tasks are happening at once.
5. Clear farm entry and safety signage
   Good signage helps communicate safety requirements to visitors, contractors and new workers from the moment they arrive.

Most cotton growers already have many of these practices in place through myBMP. The opportunity often lies in bringing them together into a clear system that supports both safety and compliance from a WHS perspective.

Achieving myBMP certification helps growers meet WHS requirements by providing a structured system to identify hazards, manage risks, train workers, and keep safety records. You will also be notified of new WHS requirements. For more information on becoming myBMP certified contact your regional manager.

WHS Support

Josh Ingham is the founder of Ingham & Co, a farm safety and leadership consultancy working alongside agricultural businesses across Australia. With a background in farming and years spent supporting growers on the ground, Josh helps farms implement practical systems that protect people and keep businesses compliant without unnecessary complexity.

Need help navigating a WHS issue or strengthening your safety systems? Full Cotton Australia levy payers are entitled to a complimentary 30-minute WHS consultation with Josh Ingham from Ingham & Co. Get in touch.