Farm Safety Week 2025: Every Near Miss on a Dairy Farm Is a Lesson – Let’s Not Miss It

The South Australian Dairyfarmers Association (SADA) is proud to support National Farm Safety Week 2025 (20–26 July), urging all South Australian dairy farmers to reflect on the close calls and "near misses" that too often happen on our farms.

This year’s campaign theme, “Second Chances – Who Knows How Many You’ll Get?”, encourages us to stop, share, and learn from these moments before they become something far worse.

SADA President Robert Brokenshire said the campaign is particularly important for the dairy sector, where long hours, heavy machinery, animal handling, and the juggling of family life create a complex web of safety risks.

“Dairy farmers are some of the hardest working people in agriculture. But the reality is, even for experienced operators, fatigue, pressure and familiarity can lead to near misses — or worse,” said Mr Brokenshire.

“This week is about reminding ourselves that no task is worth a life. Whether it’s a slippery dairy yard, a tired afternoon on the loader, or rushing to finish before school pick-up — every near miss is a chance to do things differently next time.”

The week features daily themes including fatigue, mental health, communication, and the unique risks of managing childcare and work on the same property — all highly relevant to dairy farm life.

SADA is encouraging dairy families to:

• Start conversations around the kitchen table or at morning milking about safety.
• Share a story of a near miss and what changed after it.
• Put in place one new safety check or procedure — no matter how small.

“Let’s turn the phrase ‘that was close’ into ‘here’s how we’re doing it better now.’ Because in our industry, second chances aren’t always guaranteed,” said Mr Brokenshire.

National Farm Safety Week – Key Themes for Dairy Farmers:

• Sunday 20 July – Every Near Miss Has a Lesson – Let’s Not Miss It
• Monday 21 July – Dead Tired – The Cost of Pushing Through
• Tuesday 22 July – Familiarity Can Be Fatal – Don’t Let “I’ve Done It 1000 Times” Be the Last Time
• Wednesday 23 July – Mental Health Matters – The Near Miss You Can’t See Coming
• Thursday 24 July – When Kids, Care and Work Collide
• Friday 25 July – Silence Isn’t Safe – Why Every Job Deserves a Conversation
• Saturday 26 July – The Clock Is Ticking – When Pressure Replaces Planning

To receive the official Farmsafe media pack and support materials, email SADA for a copy to delivered straight to your door. 

For dairy-specific resources, safety support, or to share your own story, contact SADA.

ENDS