FARM deaths are on the rise after new statistics recorded the highest number of fatalities in more than a decade.
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New WorkSafe data showed 27 people died as a result of an incident at a workplace last year – the highest toll since 2009.
This includes 14 deaths from incidents on farms, which is the highest number of farm fatalities since 2004.
None of the deaths occurred in the Wimmera, however there were two fatalities at Dunkeld.
A man, 27, died after being stung by bees while working at Dunkeld on November 5, while another man, 49, was crushed by a bull while drafting livestock on December 15.
Murra Warra farmer and Victorian Farmers Federation president David Jochinke said it was vital for all farmers to prepare themselves for potential emergencies.
“We need to constantly remind ourselves that if we’re not careful, we will get hurt,” he said.
“You need to keep a well-stocked first aid kit wherever you’re working and if you work alone, make a plan on how you will seek help in an emergency.”
Mr Jochinke said it was vital to consider safe working conditions when children were involved.
“I joined my dad on the farm and most farmers teach their children the ropes of running the family business,” he said.
“But children on farms are high-risk. We need to show our children what a safe farm looks like.”
WorkSafe operations and emergency management head Adam Watson said the horrific 2017 toll showed that employers and workers needed to think more constructively about what they could do to improve safety at work. "This toll is more than a statistic,” he said.
“It represents families and friendship circles missing loved ones, workplaces devastated by the death of a colleague, and communities left with a gap that can never be filled.
"Employers and workers need to focus on how they can contribute to making their workplace safer.
“Who would hesitate to take steps to improve safety at work if it meant saving the life of someone they cared about?"
Mr Watson said while the circumstances of each fatality varied, the failure to identify and adequately manage hazards was a common theme, especially on farms and where vehicles were involved.