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Rural Contractors New Zealand (RCNZ) says it welcomes the government's newly announced workplace health and safety reforms.
"Both employers and employees have an important part to play in improving safety in the workplace," says RCNZ president Steve Levet.
"Unfortunately, the attitude towards ensuring workplace safety is not universal in the agricultural scene and it can be a battle to get safety seen as a priority by every individual."
He says rural contractors and their staff need to be as vigilant with maintaining their own safety in the workplace, as they are with maintaining their machinery.
"We must not forget that our people are our biggest asset and we need to be doing everything possible to ensure their health and safety while at work. Unsafe work practices are unacceptable and a danger to both our lives and our livelihoods."
Levet says rural contractors need to get acceptance from everyone involved in their business – from the office, through to the farmers we work for, to staff out in the field – of the collective and personal responsibility for health and safety.
He says this is the responsibility of all contractors, workers and their workmates, and the farm businesses they are working for.
"Rural contractors are acutely aware of the need for robust and safe workplace practices, with most having already implemented major safety initiatives and plans. But we are always open to new ideas about how we can do things better and further improve workplace safety."
Levet believes these reforms will reinforce the aim of RCNZ of creating safer workplaces for both its members and all of their staff.
"However, while enforcement of regulations is crucial, we cannot ensure safe workplaces without strong leadership from all rural contractors and 100% commitment to safety from all of us involved in the agricultural industry."
Levet says Rural Contractors New Zealand is able to help its members meet their health and safety compliance obligations.
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