Working Alone on Farms

admin • June 10, 2025

Farm workers are often working alone and in an isolated location where there is no assistance from others and often limited or no communication.

Remote or isolated work often includes working alone and outdoors and it may be difficult to get help in an emergency. Access can be long and difficult and there may be limited access to resources. On top of this, there is less access to support networks and communication and technology may be unreliable or absent.


All these factors can add to the risk of the work. These unique challenges should all form part of the thinking when working to create a safer workplace for those working on farms.


The duty to provide a safe workplace sits with the employer, who has a legal requirement to provide a safe workplace for the workers on the farm. Often the employer may also work on the farm themselves, and the same hazards will pose a risk to them too. Implementing some controls to help reduce the risk of working alone on farms can help ensure that everyone gets home alive and well, including the employer/ farm owner.


The control measures will depend on the exact type of work being conducted on the farm, but things to think about may include:

  • Monitoring weather conditions and emergency warnings
  • Ensuring some form of communication is available
  • Providing personal distress beacons
  • Ensuring all personnel have a first aid kit and are trained in how to use it
  • Implementing a buddy system to reduce the time spent working alone
  • Additional training provided to reduce the impact of isolated work
  • Mental health support


Farming will usually involve work which is dangerous, including machinery, powerlines, heights, animals, chemicals, and the list goes on. All these risks need to be controlled to a level which is reasonably practicable, but they become more dangerous when the worker is working alone or in an isolated location. Often even the most basic issue is not adequately dealt with – how to call for help?


One of the most important issues is to consider is: Is there are reliable means of emergency communication? You must consider how you will know if something has gone wrong and how to locate the person in the case of an emergency. You may like to think about:

  • Is there a check in procedure?
  • Do you have a location system?
  • Do you have a satellite communication or radio if there is no phone signal?
  • Do you have an Emergency Locator Beacon with GPS for use in case of an emergency?
  • If you have mobile coverage, have you considered using Emergency Phone Apps?



For more information on this topic, including on how to develop emergency procedures, take a look at:

Working alone on farms | WorkSafe Victoria and Working alone or in remote areas | Safe Work Australia


It really is important to take the time to consider the risk of working on farms, especially when alone and in isolation. Not only do we need to do this to fulfil the legal duties under the OHS Act - but most of all, to make sure we all make it home at the end of the day.

Small Business and Managing Psychosocial Hazards

By admin • September 7, 2026
When we think of workplace safety, we usually picture high-vis vests and machinery guards. But, we can’t forget that employers have the exact same legal obligation to protect workers from psychological harm as they do from physical injuries. For small-to-medium businesses, managing "psychosocial hazards" can feel overwhelming, especially because these risks may seem “invisible”. Things like chronic stress, bullying, or burnout can also seem more tricky to control than your slips, trips and falls. Here is a quick guide to understanding your duties and protecting your team. What is a Psychosocial Hazard? A psychosocial hazard is anything in the design or management of work that increases the risk of psychological harm. Common examples include: Unrealistic workloads, constant tight deadlines, or a lack of role clarity. Bullying, harassment, or a lack of support from supervisors. High-stress customer interactions or dealing with traumatic situations. Left unmanaged, psychosocial hazards lead to high staff turnover, absenteeism, and long-term psychological injury claims. Meeting Your Legal Duties: The 4-Step Process Victorian Safety Legislation require employers to eliminate or reduce psychosocial risks so far as is reasonably practicable usi ng a four-step Risk Management process: Identify Hazards: Look for warning signs like spikes in sick leave. Cruciall y, consult with your staff and Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) t o find out where the stress points are. Assess Risks: Evaluate how likely these are to cause harm, as well as how severe and frequent these stressors are. Control Risks: Fix the job, not the person. You must change your systems of work to reduce the risk. For example by changing workflows, clarifying job descriptions, balancing workloads, and build a culture where staff can safely speak up. Review Controls: Regularly check back with your team and HSRs to ensure your changes are working. There are WorkSafe Victoria developed tools to help you with each step of the process and we can teach you how to use them... How BeSafe Victoria Can Help We understand that it can be hard to know where to start. You don't have to figure this out alone. At BeSafe Victoria , we specialise in providing the knowledge and skills to manage safety challenges. We run courses for HSRs, but we often have employers and managers attend so that they can understand how to apply the risk management process to psychosocial hazards. We will introduce you to a step-by-step process and provide the resources you need to make sure your workplace is safe. Contact BeSafe Victoria to find out more: HSR Training and support | BeSafe | Regional Victoria

NEW HSR Refresher OHS Training Course - Aggression or Violence

By admin • August 10, 2026
BeSafe Victoria is pleased to announce the upcoming delivery of a new Health and Safety Representative (HSR) Refresher OHS Training Course focused on Aggression and Violence in the workplace . This is a brand new WorkSafe developed training course, which equips HSRs with practical knowledge and skills to address one of the most significant psychosocial hazards facing Victorian workplaces today. Workplace aggression and violence can occur in any industry and the impacts can be both physical and psychological, not only affecting the person directly involved but also those who witness or are exposed to these incidents. Impacts also extend beyond the workplace to affect family and community. The new course explores aggression and violence through a risk management lens, building skills in hazard identification, assessing risks, finding effective controls and in contributing to effective workplace consultation. The training aligns with the growing emphasis on managing psychosocial hazards and reflects contemporary workplace health and safety expectations, including the management of aggression and violence as a workplace risk. The knowledge gained is important in ensuring that legal obligations, including those relating to the Psychological Health Regulations, are met and that workplaces are safe. As always, BeSafe Victoria is committed to providing engaging, practical and relevant training. This new refresher course offers an excellent opportunity for participants to strengthen their knowledge, build confidence in addressing workplace risks and return to their workplaces with practical strategies for supporting safer work environments. Bookings for this new HSR Refresher OHS Training Course on Aggression and Violence will be available soon. To register your interest, go to HSR Training and support | BeSafe | Regional Victoria or email us at info@besafevictoria.com.au  We look forward to helping you create safer, healthier and more respectful workplaces across Victoria.