increase font size
ON-FARM deaths are on the decline, with both WorkSafe NZ and ACC statistics showing a declining trend in fatalities since 2008, Federated Farmers says.
"We are seeing some positive results from industry efforts with WorkSafe statistics, released to us yesterday, showing that on farm fatalities for the Christmas New Year period have declined from four in 2010 to just one in 2014," says Jeanette Maxwell, Federated Farmers health & safety spokesperson.
"Coinciding with that, ACC's statistics, on annual farm fatalities, show a 17.5% reduction (decline of 32) in deaths since 2008. We have also seen growth in farmers using health and safety plans on farm with a 48% increase in purchases of our occupational health & safety policy, and a 13.5% increase in purchases of our workplace drug and alcohol policy, since 2012.
"This is really positive news and shows the collaboration between Federated Farmers, ACC, the Department of Labour, WorkSafe, FarmSafe and other organisations is really starting to pay off with greater awareness of health and safety.
"With fatalities trending down from the use of active education, communication, and a growing awareness that mental and physical health are also key to reduced fatalities, farmers will be in good stead when the new regulations come to fore.
"Whilst no fatality is acceptable, what we are seeing is a culture change from the hard work of the agricultural industry and its stakeholders. Just like improving our water quality, these things take time.
"These statistics show we are well on our way to getting it right and I would like to thank everyone who has worked with us and alongside us to improve health and safety on farm," says Maxwell.
Mid Canterbury Federated Farmers arable chair, Bevan Lill, said Beef + Lamb NZ data indicated that for the last six years, the average arable return on investment was about 0.8% while inflation ran about 4% - so the average arable farm was going backwards at about 3% a year.
For the first time in a quarter of a century, Federated Farmers has something positive to say about the Labour Party’s climate change policy leading into a general election.
Rural leader Mark Hooper has been appointed as an independent director to the NZPork board, bringing extensive farming, governance and advocacy experience to the role.
The terrible floods that hit the Wairarapa may have subsided, but the danger to farmers still exists, according to local Federated Farmers president Rob Hickson.
Will a stronger, more coordinated voice help rebuild confidence and improve returns in the wool sector?
New Zealand's citrus growers were challenged to build their future on the value embedded in their fruit rather than the volume they produce, at Citrus New Zealand's annual gathering in Gisborne on 17 September.
Leading John Deere technicians and apprentices from New Zealand and Australians were recognised at the recent sixth annual JD Technician of the Year Awards, held in Brisbane.
In Dacre, near Invercargill in New Zealand’s South Island, Bruce Dinnington is running a dairy operation unlike any other.
A free online platform aggregating governance vacancies across rural and regional New Zealand has been launched.
Environment Minister Nicola Grigg has announced details of a new rural plastics recycling scheme.
Agricultural drone operators say that a government decision to allow lower-risk drone work without certification won’t lower standards but drive innovation and efficiency.
OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…
