Industry Expertise
Agriculture & Farming
Practical SHEQ solutions for Australia's broadacre, livestock and mixed-farming operations.
Industry Overview
Agriculture is one of Australia's most economically significant industries — and one of its most hazardous. From broadacre cropping and livestock to horticulture and mixed-farming enterprises, the sector faces a distinctive risk profile shaped by heavy machinery, hazardous chemicals, isolated work and exposure to the elements. Layered over these hazards are evolving environmental expectations around land stewardship, water management and chemical use. SHEQ Management brings practical, hands-on experience in rural and agricultural settings, helping farm businesses build sensible, workable systems that protect workers, livestock and the land while keeping operations productive and compliant.
Key Risks & Requirements
Plant & Machinery
Tractors, harvesters, augers and other mobile plant present entanglement, crush and rollover hazards requiring robust guarding, maintenance and operator competency controls — one of Safe Work Australia’s priority agriculture hazards.
Quad Bikes
Quad bikes remain a leading cause of death and serious injury on Australian farms. Rollover protection, helmets, maintenance, load limits and operator training are essential controls.
Hazardous Chemicals
Pesticides, herbicides, fertilisers and fuels require safe storage, handling, SDS management and spray drift controls to protect workers, crops and the environment.
Hazardous Manual Tasks
Lifting feed, fencing and produce, repetitive handling and awkward postures contribute to musculoskeletal injury — requiring task redesign, mechanical aids and manual handling controls.
Noise
Tractors, machinery, firearms and livestock handling expose workers to hazardous noise levels requiring hearing protection, noise assessment and sustained audiometric testing.
Dusts & Airborne Hazards
Grain dust, harvest dust, silica and organic dusts can cause respiratory disease and present explosion risks, requiring dust suppression, ventilation and respiratory protection.
Working at Heights
Silos, windmills, sheds, trailers and elevated tanks require fall prevention, harness systems, ladder safety and safe access procedures for maintenance and cleaning tasks.
Slips, Trips & Falls
Uneven paddocks, muddy yards, stock crates and cluttered sheds create slip, trip and fall hazards that need housekeeping, footwear controls and maintained access routes.
Confined Spaces
Silos, grain bins, water tanks and feed bins are confined spaces with atmospheric and engulfment hazards requiring entry permits, ventilation, gas testing and rescue plans.
Outdoor Work
UV exposure, heat, cold and weather extremes demand sun protection, hydration, acclimatisation and scheduling controls for sustained outdoor farm work.
Working with Animals
Crush injuries, kicks, bites and zoonotic disease are inherent to livestock work, requiring stock handling facilities, competency and animal-handling SWMS.
Working Alone or Remote
Remote paddocks and working alone introduce communication, fatigue and emergency response challenges requiring check-in systems, communications and lone-worker procedures.
Mental Health
Isolation, financial pressure, seasonal stress and long hours elevate psychosocial risk — requiring awareness, peer support, access to help and a mentally healthy workplace culture.
Electricity
Overhead powerlines, machinery contact, faulty wiring and irrigator pumps present electrocution hazards requiring isolation, clearance distances and inspection programs.
Management Plans
Farm operations benefit from documented safety management plans, emergency response procedures, chemical registers and environmental management plans to satisfy regulatory and supply chain obligations.
Some of Our Services in this Industry
Explore the SHEQ services we offer that are most relevant to the Agriculture & Farming sector.
Articles & Blog
SHEQ Management Joins the Henderson Alliance
At SHEQ Management, we believe strong businesses are built through strong connections. That is why we are proud to be a member of the Henderson Alliance, connecting us with businesses, industry leaders and organisations working to strengthen the Henderson and Kwinana industrial precinct in Western Australia. For us, joining the Henderson Alliance is about more than membership. It is an opportunity to connect with local industry, share knowledge, understand the challenges businesses are facing and contribute our expertise in Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ).
7 Sep 2026
Don’t Shoot The Messenger. Especially When They are Trying to Help
We all expect great service. But when a crisis hits, frustration can quickly end up directed at the very people working hardest to fix the problem. This isn’t just about customer service. It’s about the human cost of how we treat suppliers, contractors and advisers when the pressure is on.
4 Aug 2026