Agricultural Health and Safety could save millions

An Occupational Health and Safety Manual has been launched by Federated Farmers to improve agricultural health and safety and could help save agriculture and the wider agricultural community, millions of dollars each year in direct and indirect costs.

“This manual is the response to numerous requests by our members for a workable plain-english guide in what is a complex and serious area of business,” says Donald Aubrey, Federated Farmers health and safety spokesperson.

“Federated Farmers recognises that good workplace health and safety is no accident.

“It is why we are pleased to be launching the manual today, Thursday 16 June, in the presence of the Minister for Labour, the Hon Kate Wilkinson MP.

“As ACC data in June 2010 showed, there were more than 18,600 injuries on New Zealand’s farms in 2009. The fact is that a farmer is injured on-farm around every 34 minutes.

“ACC data put the cost of farm accident related treatment and compensation at $78.5 million in 2009 while total ACC premiums cost agriculture roughly $150 million each year.

“Frankly, this is the tip of a huge social and economic iceberg. A 2008 NZIER report informs us the indirect social and economic costs stemming from workplace health and safety is much greater than the direct costs.

“Improving agriculture’s health and safety record will not just save the sector millions in direct premium costs but help to reduce a much larger indirect social and economic cost.

“The reality is that injured farmers cannot work and that impacts farm productivity.

“If we want to prevent regulation then we need to improve our safety record. We saw this in the May results for the Department of Labour’s quad bike safety campaign, with 56 written warnings or improvement notices issued after visiting 162 farms.

“The fact is a prosecution under the Health and Safety in Employment (HSE) Act can devastate businesses.

“In the case of a recent quad bike fatality, an employer was prosecuted under the HSE Act for not ensuring the rider was appropriately trained. This led to a $78,000 fine and a $60,000 reparation payment to the late employee’s family. That is big.

“This direct cost doesn’t reflect the total financial cost on the business or the indirect emotional harm and stress serious accidents can cause. Some farm businesses could even fail due to the stress and financial impact of an HSE prosecution.

“Keeping farms safe for employees and visitors is no accident and requires a clear strategy. That’s why Federated Farmers plain-english Occupational Health and Safety Manual exists helping farm employers meet their obligations under the HSE Act.

“Backed by our 0800 FARMING legal line, this manual provides a means for farm employers to not just fulfill their obligations but to keep doing so on an on-going basis,” Mr Aubrey concluded.