Agriculture remains one of Australia’s most hazardous industries, and the latest farm safety data released by WFI Insurance highlights lessons that extend far beyond farming into every workplace. For business owners and leaders, understanding the causes of workplace incidents is critical, not only to prevent injuries but also to reduce workers' compensation costs and create safer, more productive environments.
Farm Injuries Continue to Present Significant Risks
- Agriculture records the highest number of workplace fatalities in Australia
- In 2025, WFI Insurance reported 53 farm-related fatalities, with injury claims continuing at concerning levels
- While overall claims dropped by 5% in FY26, several categories of injuries increased significantly, showing that fewer claims don’t always mean risks are under control
Livestock and Impact Injuries on the Rise
- Livestock-related claims surged by 40%, the highest level in a decade
- Impact injuries (being struck by moving objects or colliding with stationary ones) rose by 8%.
- These risks are not unique to farming; they are common in construction, manufacturing, warehousing, transport, logistics, local government, and community services
- Contributing factors include poor hazard awareness, rushed work practices, and inadequate supervision
Employers should ensure hazard controls are practical and enforced, not just documented.
Hands, Knees and Fractures Remain Common
- Hands are the most frequently injured body part.
- Fractures are the leading injury type.
- Knee injuries doubled compared to the previous year.
- Trauma and soft tissue injuries increased by 14%.
Prevention strategies include:
- Risk assessments for manual handling
- Improved housekeeping and slip prevention
- Machinery safety controls and guarding
- Appropriate PPE
- Early intervention when discomfort is reported
Reducing musculoskeletal injuries is one of the most effective ways to cut workers compensation claims and lost productivity.
Leadership Influence Drives Safety Culture
The 2026 Safer Farms Report theme, “Set the Standard: Show ’Em How It’s Done”, emphasises leading by example. Workers mirror leadership behaviours, if managers ignore safety, employees often follow suit.
Strong safety cultures involve:
- Visible leadership commitment
- Consistent accountability
- Regular safety conversations
- Prompt incident reporting
- Effective corrective actions
- Learning from near misses
When leaders demonstrate safe behaviours, compliance and engagement improve across the workforce.
Seasonal Workloads Increase Injury Risks
- Accidents rose 43% during harvesting periods (Oct–Dec) compared to other times of year.
- Similar spikes occur in other industries during peak workloads, tight deadlines, or staff shortages.
Employers should plan for workforce capacity, manage fatigue, and ensure supervision during busy periods to reduce risks.
Workers Compensation and Return to Work
Workplace injuries affect more than health, they impact productivity, insurance premiums, recruitment, morale, and project delivery.
Best practices for injury management:
- Early contact after injury
- Suitable duties programs
- Collaboration with treating practitioners
- Regular recovery reviews
- Clear communication
A strong return to work framework supports both employee wellbeing and organisational performance.
Key Takeaways for Employers
- Serious injuries often occur during routine tasks
- Seasonal workload pressures increase risk exposure
- Leadership behaviours directly shape workplace culture
- Musculoskeletal and impact injuries remain common
- Early intervention and effective return-to-work processes are essential
Employers who proactively identify hazards, engage workers in safety, and respond quickly to injuries are best positioned to protect both their people and their business.
Need Help?
At ABILITY GROUP, we support employers across Australia with workers' compensation, injury management, workplace safety, return to work programs, and reducing claim costs.
Further Information
Source: WFI Insurance
Title: WFI Insurance shares farming incident insights in support of 2026 Farm Safety Week
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