Emergencies on farms can’t always be prevented. But how you prepare and respond can mean the difference between a minor incident and a major crisis.
In 2024, Australia recorded 72 farm fatalities and 133 serious injuries - more than double the year before.
For farmers and agribusinesses, that’s a sobering reminder: every farm needs a clear emergency response plan, backed by the right tools.
Disasters don’t send a warning. A fire in the shed, a machinery accident, or a medical emergency can escalate in minutes, and paper-based plans can’t keep up.
Digital emergency management tools simplify your response, improve safety outcomes, and help protect both workers and assets.
So, what does a digital emergency management do for your farm? Let’s break it down:
Speeds up your response: Workers can instantly access emergency contacts, click-to-call numbers, and Emergency Information on their device. No wasted time, no delays.
Improves situational awareness: Evacuation points, no-go zones, and directions for emergency services are tied to each farm location. Everyone knows exactly where to go.
Strengthens accountability: Every worker has access to the same emergency information. Training is consistent, roles are clear, and panic is reduced.
Protects your people and assets: First aid kit locations, fire extinguishers, health action plans, and worker records are all at your fingertips, ready when needed.
Supports long-term resilience: Recording outcomes digitally helps identify gaps, refine plans, and build stronger preparedness over time.
The agricultural industry consistently ranks as Australia’s most dangerous sector, with a fatality rate more than 7 times the national average.
It’s not only major incidents that cause harm, everyday jobs can too.
Around 20% of farm injuries come from routine maintenance work, often affecting eyes and hands. And when things go seriously wrong, vehicles are a major factor: in 2024, quad bikes, side-by-sides, and tractors were linked to more than 30 on-farm deaths.
On a farm, the impact of an emergency doesn’t end when the incident is over. A machinery accident can stall operations for days, a fire can wipe out years of investment, and a serious injury can affect an entire community.
Beyond the immediate danger, unpreparedness carries ripple effects: production delays, compliance breaches, financial strain, and emotional stress.
Emergencies are often seen as rare or unavoidable, leading to a mindset of “we’ll deal with it if it happens.” But waiting until disaster strikes is when the real costs appear. And those are often far greater than the effort it takes to prepare.
Confidence is critical when the unexpected happens. Workers may freeze, panic, or wait for someone else to take control. Causing delays and turning a once manageable situation into a disaster. Safe Ag Systems gives every worker clear guidance, reducing panic and helping your farm respond effectively.
Instead of relying on scattered notes or outdated binders, all the information your team needs is in one place:
Clear visibility of resources
When an emergency happens, workers don’t have time to search through paperwork or guess where equipment might be. Safe Ag Systems puts critical details in one central place, accessible from any device. From the location of first aid kits, fire extinguishers, and defibrillators, to designated evacuation points, the information is always up to date and easy to find.
This means new staff, contractors, or visitors who may not know the property layout can act quickly and confidently, instead of losing precious minutes. The result is faster access, less confusion, and a safer response when it matters most.
Accurate Directions for Responders
When you call emergency services, clear directions can save valuable time. Safe Ag Systems lets you create tailored instructions for each farm location. You can include the following:
Clear Emergency Response Plans
No two emergencies are alike - a machinery accident demands a different approach from a fire or chemical spill. Safe Ag Systems makes it simple to create tailored Emergency Response Plans for each location on your farm.
Set out clear, step-by-step actions, add images or PPE icons, and customise the plan to suit your exact needs. Workers can access the plan instantly through the app, and you also have the option to print and display it in key areas across the property.
The outcome? Every worker has clear, accessible instructions at their fingertips, ready to act with confidence in any situation.
One-touch emergency actions
The app has dedicated fire and medical emergency alert buttons that, when pressed, instantly alert the whole team. Your location and type of emergency are posted to the farm noticeboard, with GPS coordinates shared if enabled.
Everyone receives a notification, so responders on-site know exactly what’s happening and where to go. With one tap, workers can raise the alarm and notify managers - fast, direct, and without delay.
"One of the best features about Safe Ag Systems is the emergency function that staff have access to with a push of a button. A notification that goes out to our entire team, alerting them to a medical emergency or a fire."
Jim Christie, One Tree Ag
By making plans easy to access and simple to follow, Safe Ag Systems empowers your team to respond faster, with fewer delays and less confusion. The result? A stronger chance of protecting both lives and assets.
When disaster strikes, you won’t get a second chance to prepare. Choosing a digital emergency management system today could be the difference between a close call and a tragedy tomorrow.
Farming is unpredictable. Your response doesn’t have to be. Book a demo with Safe Ag Systems today.
Disclaimer: Content on this website may be of relevance to users outside of Australia, but content links and examples are specific to Australia. Please check with your local authority for your country and industry requirements.