increase font size
While the number of agricultural deaths has fallen from 19 in 2010 to 15 in 2011, Federated Farmers is committed to bring it down still further.
"Any death is a tragedy and it's much worse when it happens at a place of work that is also their home," says Federated Farmers health and safety spokesperson David Rose.
"Federated Farmers is committed to working with the Department of Labour, with ACC and with the Coroner to make our members take health and safety seriously. I myself have been fronting a campaign to highlight the causes of farm accidents.
"While one year doesn't make for a trend we are pleased to see four fewer deaths recorded in 2011. Yet it is the age profile where there has been marked change."
In 2010, eight of the 19 deaths came from those aged under the age of 50, including five aged under 40. In 2011, four of the 15 deaths came from those aged under the age of 50 with two under the age of 40.
The 2011 year also includes the most unimaginable tragic accident involving a child, says Rose.
"What this means is that we have seemingly hit a brick wall involving those over the age 50. It was 11 deaths in 2010 and it stubbornly remains 11 for the 50 plus age group in 2011."
Federated Farmers is heartened that the safety message seems to be getting through to younger farmers. Last year, Federated Farmers launched a health and safety manual specifically designed to be relevant on-farm.
This is now being used by hundreds of our members, says Rose.
"While we've seemingly made a step forward there, we're concerned that those over the age of 50 could be taking a, 'do as I say, not as I do' approach to safety.
"This is further shown by occupational quad bike fatalities on-farm. There were five workplace deaths involving quad bikes in 2010 with four involving those over 50. Of the four quad bike deaths in 2011, all four involved farmers aged over 50.
"Certainly, it's something we'll be discussing with the Department of Labour and with ACC because we need these farmers to realise their luck will eventually run out.
"In terms of quad bikes we were pleased to see an increase in sales. This reflects farmers positively investing in modern kit and better designed machines.
"In 2012, Federated Farmers focus will be on additional safety features, such as an audible reversing alarm made standard on all new quad bikes. We plan to start discussions with manufacturers shortly on that and other concepts."
Federated Farmers' Occupational Health and Safety Manual is available by calling 0800 327 646 (0800 FARMING).
New Zealand's pest problem has reached crisis point, according to Federated Farmers' second National Pests Survey, which shows farmers are spending more money and effort on control — yet pest numbers keep climbing faster than they were two years ago.
Despite political shenanigans in Wellington, farmers are confident that Resource Management Act (RMA) reforms will get over the line in this term of Parliament.
The Government has announced it will pause key parts of Waikato Plan Change 1 (PC1) in a decision that is set to give Waikato farmers a reprieve from new consenting and farm-planning requirements while the wider resource management system is overhauled.
OPINION: As the general election approaches, political parties are churning out policies in the hope of attracting more votes.
Federated Farmers president Colin Hurst and his family raised a glass of milk last week to toast the start of a new addition to their farming operation at Makihihi, south of Timaru.
An Auckland gelato shop and an established New Zealand ice cream maker have both been named Supreme Champions at the NZ Ice Cream & Gelato Awards 2026.
As the cost-of-living crisis continues to put pressure on household grocery budgets, new figures show pork remains one of the most affordable fresh meat options for New Zealand families.
OPINION: In politics, credibility is and should be big. It must surely rank higher than charisma, which is quite trite and superficial. Yet, voters nowadays are often wooed and influenced by how someone looks or talks at a superficial level. TV plays a huge role in this.
Farmers can spend less time on paperwork, thanks to a new data sharing agreement between DairyNZ’s DairyBase and LIC’s MINDA software.
Kaikōura families affected by July's severe storm have found a practical solution to a problem that's kept some children away from regular schooling for weeks: a washed-out section of Inland Kaikōura Road, which has stopped the local school bus from running its usual route.
Rural New Zealand is welcoming the Government’s recent package of rural healthcare initiatives.
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…
