Safety seminars aimed at the farming community are being run by WorkSafe, beginning next week.

Four workshops looking at the requirements for selling second-hand farm machinery are being run at Horsham (13 October), Ballarat (14 October), Shepparton (27 October) and Wodonga (28 October).

The practical workshops are aimed at farmers, machinery dealers, sales agents, equipment suppliers and potential purchasers. They cover running an audit of equipment, using checklists to identify hazards, determining what needs to be done to ensure machinery is sold for safe use and ensuring that safety information is passed-on to purchasers.

WorkSafe’s Executive Director, Health and Safety, John Merritt said that farm machinery, whether it is new or second-hand, must be sold in a safe condition, with appropriate guardingas required.

“The sale of second-hand equipment is a part of farm life. Knowing what you’re meant to be doing is like buying insurance, with the bonus that you will also be protecting the people who buy your machinery,” Mr Merritt said.

“These events give people the opportunity to find out what more they can do to help keep themselves, their workmates, employees, businesses and customers safe.”

Free information session dates, venues and booking details follow. Please note the different booking arrangements for each session.

• Horsham - Tuesday 13 October, 10am-12.30pm.Longerenong Agricultural College, 229 Longerenong Road. Bookings by email to tanya_smith@worksafe.vic.gov.au or phone 5338 4444.

• Ballarat - Wednesday 14 October, 10am-12.30pm. University of Ballarat, TAFE Primary Industries Training Centre, Rosehill Road, Mt Rowan. Bookings by email to tanya_smith@worksafe.vic.gov.au or phone 5338 4444.

• Shepparton - Tuesday 27 October, 10am - 12.30pm. Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE, William Orr Campus, Wanganui Road. Bookings by email to elizabeth_donnelly@worksafe.vic.gov.au or phone 5831 8260 by Thursday 22 October.

• Wodonga - Wednesday 28 October, 10am - 12.30pm. Wodonga Institute of TAFE, Water, Land and Food, University Drive. Bookings by email to linda_mortimer @worksafe.vic.gov.au or phone 5721 8588 by Friday 23 October.

Please provide your name, job title, organisation and phone number with your registration.

A light lunch will be provided at all sessions.