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BASF and AgLink join forces to promote child safety on farms
- Over 700 free Safety Champs program packs are now available to boost farm hazard awareness in children living on farms
- Safety Champs helps parents and caregivers facilitate conversations with children about farm safety in a fun and educational way
- Farm safety for children is a key issue with 18 percent of recorded farm injuries in 2022 involving children under the age of 15
Melbourne, Australia – 13 July 2023 – Ahead of Farm Safety Week, 17 - 23 July 2023, BASF Australia has joined forces with AgLink Australia members to unveil a free Safety Champs program to promote child safety on farms.
The BASF Safety Champs packs, supported by AgLink Australia members Farmer Johns, TGT, McGregor Gourlay, Pursehouse Rural, AGnVET Rural and AgriShop, contain fun and educational farm safety themed activities and are designed to assist parents and caregivers in having discussions with kids about the importance of farm safety.
Farms are not just busy workplaces, many are also family homes where children can encounter hazards every day. In 2022, 18% of the injury events on farms involved children under the age of 15. Spreading awareness and sharing knowledge via the Safety Champs program are key to helping identify potential hazards and prevent accidents.
The packs, which come in a re-usable drawstring bag, are targeted at 5- to 10-year-old’s and include:
- A Safety Champs program introductory letter
- Child-sized safety vest
- Noise reducing earmuffs, which meet Australian safety standards
- Printable safety themed activities
- An ‘Our Farm Safety Pledge’ for families to complete together
- An official Safety Champs certificate
Following a successful launch campaign in New Zealand in 2022, Gavin Jackson, Head of Agricultural Solutions in BASF in Australia and New Zealand, said Safety Champs is part of BASF’s dedication to upholding the safety of its people, customers, and their families.
“At BASF we remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring the safety and livelihood of all in our farming communities, including the youngest members. Many farms are family owned and operated, therefore, the children of farmers today, may one day bear the responsibility of taking over the family’s farming business. We are proud to partner with AgLink to contribute to farm safety in Australia. Our intent is to roll out a bigger and better Safety Champs program that will drive greater awareness and understanding of what it means to be safer around equipment and hazards, in 2023 and beyond.”
Ian Scutt, CEO of AgLink Australia said, “We are delighted to partner with BASF to deliver a unique program that champions safety culture in rural and regional communities across Australia. Through participating in the Safety Champs program, farming families can work together to implement measures that can make their farm an even safer and more fun environment to grow up in.”
Families are encouraged to share their Safety Champs experiences via social media to generate greater understanding around the importance of embracing safe behaviours.
700 Safety Champ packs are available at no cost to families while stock lasts. To find out more or to order a Safety Champs pack for your child, visit crop-solutions.basf.com.au.
About BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division
Farming is fundamental to provide enough healthy and affordable food for a rapidly growing population while reducing environmental impacts. Working with partners and agricultural experts and by integrating sustainability criteria into all business decisions, we help farmers to create a positive impact on sustainable agriculture. That’s why we invest in a strong R&D pipeline, connecting innovative thinking with practical action in the field. Our portfolio comprises seeds and specifically selected plant traits, chemical and biological crop protection, solutions for soil management, plant health, pest control and digital farming. With expert teams in the lab, field, office and in production, we strive to find the right balance for success – for farmers, agriculture and future generations. In 2021, our division generated sales of €8.2 billion. For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or any of our social media channels.
About BASF in Australia and New Zealand
BASF serves key industries in the agriculture, coatings, manufacturing and mining sectors, and posted sales of about €415 million in Australia and New Zealand in 2021. As of the end of 2021, the company had 380 employees and operated 6 production sites across Agricultural Solutions, performance products and functional materials and solutions. BASF has been active in Australia for 100 years, and about 60 years in New Zealand. Further information is available on www.basf.com/au.
About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 111,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €78.6 billion in 2021. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.
