Cotton Australia has developed two new practical resources to help growers improve on-farm safety and maintain key myBMP standards – an Emergency Card and a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Card.

The idea came from observations made during myBMP farm assessments, where printed emergency plans and chemical information were often found to be damaged, dirty, incomplete or difficult for staff to access quickly.

Led by Cotton Australia’s myBMP Sustainability Implementation Officer Annette McCaffery and Northern NSW Regional Manager Richard Gray, the resources were designed in response to grower feedback and real-world challenges on farm.

“Growers are committed to safety, but we know that paper-based systems can be hard to maintain in busy farm environments,” Annette said.

“In an emergency, every minute matters. If the first responder is a temporary worker or someone unfamiliar with the property, providing accurate directions to emergency services can be difficult. The Emergency Card is designed to make critical location and contact information easier to access when it is needed most.

“Often, the speed that appropriate help is received can be a major factor in the outcome.”

The SDS Card was developed with Cotton Australia Policy Officer Doug McCollum to make it easier for growers and farm staff to access current chemical safety information.

“One of the myBMP standards is having access to current Safety Data Sheets for chemicals stored on farm, but keeping printed copies up to date can be time-consuming,” Annette said.

“The SDS Card provides a simple way to support compliance while improving safety and spray practices.”

The SDS Card will be displayed in the chemical shed, along with key safety signage required by law.

The need for practical safety tools remains clear. Between 2013 and 2023, there were 748 fatalities on Australian farms, costing an estimated $1.8 billion. Meanwhile, about 5000 workers’ compensation injury claims processed during this period, ranging from minor to serious injuries, cost more than $1.5 billion, or $190 million per year.

The cards have been funded by the Better Cotton Initiative and are available to myBMP growers.

Feedback from growers, agronomists and resellers has so far been positive, with the cards expected to make important safety information more accessible and easier to maintain.