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.
Nelson will take over from Justine Kidd who has chaired the organisation since its formation in 2017 and remains on the board.
Nelson says that the farming sector needs to shift away from the idea of health and safety as purely compliance-based and instead include it in the culture of businesses.
“It is good business practice, and we need to help people create that mind shift,” she said.
“I’ve been able to do a lot of sector transformation through founding and leading the Agri Women’s Development Trust so I want to be able to use those networks, those relationships and those influences from Ministers down to grassroots, to normalise really good health and safety practices within businesses.”
Nelson says she is given legitimacy to talk about these issues because of her farming background.
“I know what it takes, I know how hard it is to incorporate health and safety but I also know the effect it has on the business when you can incorporate a really good health and safety culture,” she said.
Nelson will be joined on the board by two new board directors, Jack Raharuhi from Pamu Farms and Federated Farmers vice president Karen Williams.
Former chair Justine Kidd said the high calibre and number of applicants for the positions was a testament to the passion the industry has for its people.
“It was really tough with so many business leaders putting themselves forward, but we are thrilled to be welcoming Karen, Jack and Lindy to the board table.”
