Farm safety improving, but not fast enough

Farm safety statistics released today show a slight decrease in on-farm injury claims for 2011, but Federated Farmers remains concerned that farmers are still taking too many risks and endangering their health, lives and livelihoods.

“Statistics New Zealand’s work related injury ACC claim statistics show a small improvement in the agriculture and fisheries sector, continuing a decreasing trend for claims over the last three years from 250 per 1000 full time equivalent workers (FTEs) in 2009 to 211 last year,” Federated Farmers health and safety spokesperson Jeanette Maxwell said.

“However, 28,100 claims is still far too many and there is still a lot of work to be done to get all New Zealand’s farmers taking workplace safety seriously, as we still outstrip all other industries in the workplace injury and death statistics.

“Federated Farmers has a pro-active stance on farm safety and we are an active member of the Agricultural Health and Safety Council which includes other industry bodies such as ACC, DairyNZ, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and FarmSafe.

“For some time, New Zealand has lagged behind other countries in workplace safety statistics across the board and MBIE has clearly signalled an intention to turn these statistics and the real life stories behind them around.

“It is vital for everyone in New Zealand’s primary sector to realise that the old ‘she’ll be right, it won’t happen to me’ attitude is letting us down, not only costing our farmers billions of dollars in lost productivity annually, but also placing a huge emotional strain on many rural families.

“Often there is little access to relief cover when a farmer is hurt and the impact of on-farm fatalities on the families affected is horrific.

“Farming does present a number of unique workplace challenges which must be identified and mitigated as much as possible for farms to meet their responsibility of taking ‘all practicable steps’ under the Health and Safety in Employment Act. This can be difficult as farmers often have very large areas, with a range of terrain, stock types and machinery, to consider.
 
“The Federation has developed an agriculture specific Occupational Safety and Health manual specifically designed to cover farming situations. This is available to all farmers for purchase, with a discount for our members by calling 0800 327 646.

“I am also part of one of the Independent Taskforce’s reference groups, reviewing New Zealand workplace health and safety system.

“One thing we have to ensure is that any regulation enacted by MBIE is sensible and fit for purpose. Federated Farmers is continuing to work to ensure the Ministry sees education as an important part of the health and safety message,”  Mrs Maxwell concluded.