The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has announced that the Central Highlands Regional Resources Use Planning Cooperative (CHRRUP) is to use a $38,500 grant to develop a workplace health and safety tool.
The Department said the SafeStation app would be custom-made for agriculture, being used mostly by clients in Central Queensland.
Minister for Rural Communities, Mark Furner said the grant was established under the State’s economic recovery plan to help agricultural industries make better use of digital technologies and access new opportunities.
“The COVID-19 pandemic created serious challenges for the agriculture sector, but the Government has worked closely with industry to find solutions for emerging problems,” Mr Furner said.
He said the grant to the CHRRUP would support a project that would include enhancing the digital skills of agricultural businesses; keep on-farm safety processes simple and practical; and give employees and property owners safety information 24/7 via their smartphone or tablet.
“The grant means the SafeStation app project can be fast tracked and the program will have an important impact on farm safety,” Mr Furner said.
Chief Executive of the CHRRUP, Simone Parker said the risk of serious injuries on farms meant establishing a strong safety culture was vital for any agribusiness.
“The SafeStation app allows everything from policies and safe work procedures to individual chemical and vehicle maintenance logs to be accessed quickly and simply,” Ms Parker said.
“We work with everyone in the business, from owners to employees, to create a system that works for their property and tailor the app accordingly,” she said.
