CGU Insurance today announced a sponsorship deal with Farmsafe Australia.
Farmsafe Australia is an association of national agencies that share a common interest in farm safety with state Farmsafe organisations.
As part of the sponsorship, CGU and Farmsafe have developed a guide to reduce injuries and deaths associated with grain augers.
The guide has been designed to help educate farmers to fit their older grain augers with a new guard, to prevent injuries and allow ready grain flow for all seeds.
Data from the National Farm Injury Data Centre at the Australia Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety shows that from 2001 – 2004 there were four deaths associated with auger grain use.
National workers compensation data from the same period shows there are on average 16 serious injuries per year.
The vast proportion of day-to-day work on farms is undertaken by self employed farmers and their families.
Any injuries to this group are not included in the official workers compensation figures.
Farmsafe Australia Executive Officer John Temperley said it was estimated there were about 60 serious injuries involving farm augers each year.
He said the majority of the injuries were as result of fingers, hands and arms being caught in unguarded pulleys, drive shafts and unguarded auger flights.
Mr Temperley said the data also showed that there were injuries to feet and legs after people became entangled in unguarded auger flights.
He said there were also reports of electrocution moving and raising grain augers under overhead power lines.
"These injuries can be prevented by ensuring that grain augers are guarded and properly maintained," Mr Temperley said.
"By repairing and replacing damaged or broken guards before starting and operating grain augers, farmers can reduce their risk of being injured," Mr Temperley said.
Mr Watson said as part of its sponsorship, CGU would actively promote the work of Farmsafe Australia.
