Agriculture Risk Report for a Green Valley Farm in Australia
Report
Introduction
In this assessment you will demonstrate your understanding of OHS risk management in a report.
The agricultural industry is the focus of several national and State based safety performance improvement initiatives. In this assessment you will work through the risk management architecture (i.e. Principles, Framework and Process) for a small farming organisation and a task routinely conducted on farms, which has resulted in workplace incidents in the farming community. The aim is that you conduct some research and provide some convincing risk based justifications to ensure an acceptable level of risk of this task (i.e. the incidents have occurred elsewhere). The assessment is therefore concerned with demonstrating your risk management and risk management communications skills for this industry sector.
The following information provides details:
1. The farming organisation is classified as an SME.( Small and medium-sized enterprises)
2. The farming organisation does not have an existing documented risk based approach.
3. The task is using a tractor and equipment to tow a bogged vehicle (eg: WorkSafe Commissioner Media Release (https://www(dot)commerce(dot)wa(dot)gov(dot)au/announcements/worksafe-commissioner-launches-inquiry-agriculture) , WorkSafe WA Tractor Safety (https://www(dot)commerce(dot)wa(dot)gov(dot)au/sites/default/files/atoms/files/safe_use_of_tractors_with_attachmen.pdf) ).
4. You may fabricate any other information you need to assist the assessment.
5. Whilst the tractor drivers understand the task of using a tractor, they need advice following the incident to ensure their approach manages risk to an acceptable level.
Instructions
Follow these steps:
Step 1:
Preparation: Review the literature and guidance information which you source, to identify the risk management issues associated with this industry sector, and the task.
Ask yourself what is the national performance of small farming organisations, and/or the use of tractors and what needs to happen to improve this?
Ask yourself what does a small/medium business need to do to integrate risk management into their operations? What are the issues they may have?
What are the hazards associated with using a tractor for this task?
Step 2:
Literature review: Review up to 10 contemporary peer reviewed papers or other authoritative literature concerned with safety performance of farming SME's, and/or working with tractors.
What does the OHS regulator expect of SME's?
What advice is given to SME's regarding risk management? What risk management strategies are suggested for tractors?
Step 3: Report:
Develop a report with the following sections (Note: refer to the marking rubric too):
Executive summary: a summary of the main points of each section of the report, highlighting issues of particular interest to the Executive/Management
Introduction: Describe the background to the report, why the report is needed, and, what the report aims to do Background (ie. Literature review): Summarise the literature, for example highlighting OHS issues in the SME sector, issues of working with tractors, contemporary risk management approaches for SMEs, and modern approaches to working with tractors.
Risk Based approach:
Describe the elements of AS/NZ ISO31000 (i.e. the ‘Principles’, ‘Framework’ and ‘Process’) in a manner suitable for this organisation.
For the Principles and Framework describe what and how the company needs to do in each (i.e. summarise what and describe how...practical!).
For the Risk Management Process: Present a risk management plan for working with this task (i.e. all the elements of the risk management process). Make recommendations for the risk treatments, using the Control Hierarchy, based on your research. Include suggestions for incident and emergency management associated with this task.
Discussion of Benefits: Describe a justification for the risk based approach, and justify the impact this approach will have on the company.
Conclusion: Finalise the report by showing how the report responds to the "needs" and "aims" described in the introduction.
References: all other authors work must be properly referenced using APA 7th edition.
Appendices: you may add other information in appendices, which will not be included in the word count.
You may make up appropriate information about the company (i.e its name, location, history etc) if it helps your report. If you make up information, you need to be consistent and apply it appropriately through out the report (eg: if you say someone had died because of a workplace incident, this will impact many other aspects of the advice you provide).
Please ask questions in the tutorial and use the Discussion Board to exchange ideas and comments with your class colleagues.
You may use a risk assessment template or other risk assessment information of your choosing to illustrate your report.
This assessment is concerned with communicating your understanding of the benefits of risk management to an organisation and the management of a workplace hazard. Your marks will reflect how well you have done these tasks. As such, you should only refer to sources which are peer reviewed, authoritative or similar (i.e. journal articles, government publications). It is not appropriate to refer to sources such as your/other workplace procedures, organisation websites or social media.
Resources
SafeWork Australia - Small business (https://www(dot)safeworkaustralia(dot)gov(dot)au/safety-topic/industry-and-business/small- business)
Rubrics
Abstract: Your abstract/executive summary is a good summary of the contents of your report; it covers the main points and importantfindings
Introduction:
Your introduction is good. The purpose and background are clear.
Litreature review:
Your critique is good and includes a thorough evaluation of relevant peerreviewed articles. Search methodology, inclusion and exclusion criteria are clearly explained.
Risk based approach:
A good description of the design and proposed implementation of a risk based approach to manage this risk, based on the literature review and linked to the national performance targets.
Discuss the benefits of the risk based appraoch:
A discussion of the benefits of the risk management process towards the national performance targets.
Conclusion:
Your conclusion is satisfactory and summarizes the purpose and findings and with limited reference to significance. No new information, sources or ideas are introduced
Referecing and style: APA 7th edition
Reasonable skill in correct referencing style; paraphrases direct quotations used sparingly
Agriculture Risk Report for a Green Valley Farm in Australia
Your Name
Subject and Section
Professor’s Name
April 25, 2023
Executive Summary
This report analyzes the risk management issues associated with the agricultural industry, specifically focusing on Green Valley Farm, a small farming organization in Victoria, Australia. The main objective is to provide risk-based justifications for using tractors in towing bogged vehicles, leading to workplace incidents in the farming community. A review of contemporary literature and guidance information and an assessment of the risk management framework based on AS/NZ ISO 31000 has been conducted. The report concludes with a series of recommendations for the farming organization to ensure an acceptable level of risk.
Introduction
The agricultural industry is vital in Australia, contributing significantly to the country's economy and food security. However, it also presents various safety challenges, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), constituting a significant portion of the industry. These organizations often face risks associated with using tractors and other farm machinery essential for day-to-day operations.
One common task in the agricultural sector, using a tractor to tow a bogged vehicle, has resulted in workplace incidents in the past (WorkSafe Commissioner Media Release, WorkSafe WA Tractor Safety). These incidents can lead to severe consequences, such as injuries, fatalities, and financial losses. Therefore, small farming organizations must identify and address the risks associated with this task and implement effective risk management strategies to ensure a safe working environment for their employees.
This report aims to provide a risk-based approach to using tractors for towing bogged vehicles in small farming organizations in Australia. Drawing upon contemporary literature and industry guidance sources, the report will outline a risk management framework and recommend practical measures for mitigating risks associated with this task. By adopting a comprehensive and evidence-driven approach, small farming organizations can maintain a safe working environment for their employees, reduce workplace incidents, and ultimately contribute to improved safety performance in the Australian agricultural sector.
The following section will provide a short introduction and overview of Green Valley Farm, which is the subject organization for this risk report.
Introduction to the SME
Green Valley Farm is a small-to-medium-sized agricultural enterprise located in Victoria, Australia. The farm spans over 500 acres and specializes in cultivating crops such as wheat, barley, and canola, as well as rearing livestock, including cattle and sheep. The organization employs 25 full-time staff, including tractor operators, farmhands, and administrative personnel.
In recent years, Green Valley Farm has experienced a series of incidents involving using tractors for towing bogged vehicles. Despite tractor drivers having a basic understanding of the task, workplace incidents have led to injuries and property damage. As a result, Green Valley Farm has come under scrutiny from regulatory bodies such as WorkSafe, prompting the need for a more robust risk management strategy.
Currently, Green Valley Farm does not have a documented risk-based approach, and the employees have limited knowledge of risk management principles and practices. The organization has been relying on informal communication and ad-hoc safety measures to address hazards associated with tractor use and towing bogged vehicles. This lack of a structured risk management process has contributed to the recent incidents and highlights the need for improvement.
Following the incidents, Green Valley Farm's management recognizes the urgency of implementing a risk-based approach to ensure that the risks associated with using tractors for towing bogged vehicles are managed to an acceptable level. The management is committed to developing and implementing a risk management plan, providing training and resources to employees, and fostering a culture of safety awareness within the organization.
Background (Literature Review)
Agricultural safety performance has been the subject of extensive research, focusing on various aspects of risk management in the sector. The challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in managing risk are particularly significant due to these organizations' unique characteristics, such as limited resources and expertise.
OHS Issues in the SME Sector
Kelsey et al. (1996) conducted a study on the importance of seat belts and rollover protective structures (ROPS) in farm tractors, emphasizing the role of these safety features in reducing the risk of injury and fatality. Their research revealed that the use of seat belts in conjunction with ROPS could significantly reduce the risk of severe injury or death in the event of a tractor rollover. In recent years, this lack of sufficient protection and safeguards in Australia was noted in the study done by Rumchev et al. (2019), where the author noted that “just over half of farm managers/owners (53%) reported providing training to farmworkers in the correct use of RPE”. This includes using proper Respiratory Protection Equipment (RPE), seatbelts, monitoring tools, etc. Accordingly, this finding underscores the importance of incorporating safety features into tractor design and operation and the need for proper training and awareness among tractor operators.
In line with this, Hoag (2009) provides a comprehensive overview of applied risk management in agriculture, highlighting the various approaches and strategies available to farmers and agricultural enterprises in reducing risks to farmers and staff in the agricultural industry. The author discusses the importance of identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks in order to minimize the potential negative impacts on the agricultural business. Hoag's work emphasizes the need for agricultural enterprises, including SMEs, to adopt systematic risk management strategies that address their businesses' financial and operational aspects.
However, aside from proper identification, assessment, and mitigation of risks, another study by Pascuzzi and Santoro (2022) discuss farm machinery and processes management in sustainable agriculture, exploring the implications of advanced technologies and practices for risk management in the sector. The authors emphasize the need for effective risk management strategies that balance the benefits of technological innovation with the potential hazards associated with their adoption. This includes ensuring the safe operation of equipment, such as tractors, and implementing appropriate measures to mitigate risks associated with specific tasks, such as towing bogged vehicles.
Issues of Working with Tractors
The use of safety equipment and policies in tractors has been a topic of interest in recent years. The comparison and contrast of recent studies on this topic will highlight the importance of safety measures and the potential benefits of implementing them in the agricultural sector.
Vorozhtsov et al. (2022) studied using small-sized tractors and their potential benefits and risks in the agricultural sector. They emphasized the need for proper training, maintenance, and safe operation of tractors to minimize the risks associated with their use. In contrast, another study by Pickett et al. (2021) focused on evaluating the effectiveness of safety policies and equipment in reducing tractor-related injuries and fatalities. This study found that strict enforcement of safety policies, combined with the appropriate use of safety equipment, significantly reduced the number of tractor-related accidents.
Both studies highlight the importance of safety equipment and policies in tractors, but they approach the issue from different angles. Vorozhtsov et al. (2022) concentrate on small-sized tractors, emphasizing the potential benefits and risks associated with their use. They argue that proper training, maintenance, and safe operation are crucial to minimizing risks. On the other hand, Hagel et al. (2021) take a broader view, evaluating the effectiveness of safety policies and equipment in general. Their findings suggest that strict enforcement of safety policies and proper use of safety equipment can significantly reduce tractor-related injuries and fatalities.
Another study by Sorensen et al. (2020) examined the impact of organizational factors on the adoption and implementation of tractor safety practices. The study found that organizations with strong safety cultures, clear communication, and leadership commitment to safety were likelier to adopt and enforce safety policies and equipment usage. This research emphasizes the importance of organizational factors in promoting the use of safety equipment and adherence to safety policies in tractors.
Based on these, recent studies on the importance of safety equipment and policies in tractors consistently emphasize the need for proper training, maintenance, and safe operation. They also highlight the role of organizational factors in promoting a safety culture that encourages the adop...