Two locals with a strong desire to spare anyone else the trauma of a farm accident delivered a moving and unforgettable opening address at the recent Tamworth Farmers of the Future Farm Safety Field Day.

You could have heard a pin drop as Somerton farmer Bob Chaffey and Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School student Ed Howarth told 200 Year nine students how their lives had changed.

Bob Chaffey lost his left arm and almost his life 13 years ago, as a result of a power take off accident on his farm, while Ed Howarth lost a leg last year following a bike accident.

“It only takes a split second for your life to be changed forever,” Mr Chaffey said.

“OH&S is so important these days – it can make or break a farm but worse it can make or break individuals and families.”

He urged the students to take the time to assess the risks in any activity they are about to undertake.  

“It is just so important to pull on the helmet if riding a bike or a horse, the safety gear if riding moto cross or doing activities that requires safety equipment. 

“Just assess the situation before going near any moving parts on machinery. A lot of the older machinery still has unguarded chains and V belts and it doesn’t cost a lot sometimes to put a guard over.”

Ed Howarth was just 15, returning home after dropping his brother at the bus stop on his motor bike, a birthday present, when he was hit by a car.

He told fellow students how the accident had affected his family, that he needed a lot of support after losing his leg below the knee.

“Football was all I wanted to do – how far I could go with it – so when this happened I was devastated,” Ed said.

“That’s was the only thing I was worried about plus my family.”

Thankful to be wearing a helmet at the time, Ed admitted he had hadn’t given much thought to safety before the accident – now he says "think before you act – weigh up the risks.”

“Always put safety first and foremost. Whether you get on a bike or just cross the road, going for your Ls...you have got to consider your safety.

“We aren’t invincible.”

This story appears Agriculture Today.