Farm Safety Improves Through 'Incremental Gain', Says Birkett
Improving health and safety is about incremental gain rather than a sudden decision, says Leeston farmer and Federated Farmers health and safety spokesman David Birkett.
Building on the success of a pilot in 2024, Safer Farms is launching phase two of the Safer Rides programme, providing farmers with financial incentives to fit lifesaving technology such as Crush Protection Devices (CPDs) and GPS Rollover Safety Systems.
On average, a quad bike or side-by-side accident takes the rider out of productive work for 82 days, impacting themselves, their family and the farm business. Since 2019, 23 farmers or workers have lost their lives in preventable accidents - around 70% of which could have been avoided.
“There was overwhelming demand for phase one of the Safer Rides programme with over 130 farm businesses installing CPDs,” says Lindy Nelson, Farm Without Harm ambassador and director of Safer Farms, the industry-led organisation dedicated to fostering a safer farming culture across New Zealand.
“Farmers told us that near-misses, accidents, hilly terrain and concerns for younger riders drove them to act. Retailers also saw a surge in enquiries and sales.
“What we saw is that when farmers are made aware of viable options, and there are incentives, they act to make safety a priority. That’s why we’re bringing Safer Rides back so more farmers can benefit.”
Safer Rides is accompanied by an awareness and education programme and a provocative advertising campaign that highlights the real gamble farmers take when safety is ignored.
“We think the message that a small ‘win’ of a few minutes saved is nothing compared with the potentially devastating ‘loss’ of serious injury or death will really resonate with farmers,” says Nelson.
The initiative is backed by ACC, and a network of sector partners including PGG Wrightson, Rabobank, FMG and Craigmore Sustainables, all committed to safer outcomes for New Zealand farmers.
Farmers taking part in Safer Rides can access a 20% discount code for CPDs from Trax Equipment or QuadBar, saving up to $395 on selected models, or 15% on SafeTrax hardware and 5% software, plus free installation valued at $150.
For more information visit the Farm Without Harm website.
