This time last year New Zealand lost five people in on-farm workplace accidents. We can’t let that happen again this year. Federated Farmers and our strategic partner Yamaha have teamed up to put together a photo competition to remind farmers, growers and their families how important it is to take care at work, in winter, […]
health and safety
Feds backs the butcher, the baker, and the greengrocer – again
Federated Farmers says the government needs to reconsider and let small business fresh food sellers stay open under level 4. Last year Federated Farmers national president Andrew Hoggard was vocal about Feds’ position. “We pleaded for common sense to prevail, we have had over one year to sort this out – yet it is not.” New […]
Spotlight on rail safety for rural workers and animals
Raising rail safety awareness in rural New Zealand is the focus of a campaign launched by KiwiRail as part of Rail Safety Week this month. New research reveals more than three quarters of serious vehicle collisions with trains occur in provincial towns and rural areas with fewer than 75,000 people. Farmers and rural workers are […]
200 exemptions for dairy workers – token at best
I have been working behind the scenes and in the media around staff shortages and reuniting families of our migrant staff in my sector. I do this because I see it as part of my responsibility I choose to take on as sharemilker Chair for Southland Federated Farmers, trying to get the government to see […]
WorkSafe warns of spring fatalities spike
WorkSafe is giving farmers a heads up to be mindful of risks on farm this spring. In spring 2020, fatalities spiked to five during the months of August and September. Vehicles continue to be the primary source of harm in on farm fatalities. On Monday this week a person was tragically killed in an incident […]
New project to improve on-farm health and safety
A new DairyNZ and ACC project is looking at improving the health and safety of farmers, by reducing the occurrence of sprains and strains on-farm. The Reducing Sprains and Strains project is designed to develop solutions which support a sector-wide reduction in sprains and strains by 2030. DairyNZ general manager farm performance Sharon Morrell says […]
Minimum sick leave entitlements are increasing to 10 days
The minimum sick leave entitlement is increasing from 5 to 10 days per year from 24 July 2021. Employees will get the extra five days at their next entitlement date. Employers and employees, it is important you are prepared for the change so you don’t get caught out. Here are six key things you need […]
It’s so important to take time out
Working in the agri-nutrient sector, Calvin Ball says he has seen a significant change in farmers’ attitudes to health and safety in recent years. Calvin, the Northern 2021 FMG Young Farmer of the Year, grew up on a Northland dairy farm, studied agriscience at Massey and began his career with an agri-nutrient company in 2013. […]
Lakeman Brewing and NZ Farming brew an IPA for Rescue Helicopter Trusts around New Zealand
With support from NZ Hops and Gladfield Malt, Lakeman Brewing and NZ Farming have produced the JET FUEL IPA as a celebration of regional New Zealand. All profits from the sale of this limited release craft beer will be donated to Rescue Helicopter Trusts around New Zealand. James Cooper from Lakeman Brewing says: “We are […]
Health and safety, it’s not necessarily something you can call ‘just common sense’
“Working in a rural role but desk-based has really made me reflect on the very different health and safety challenges of being ‘hands on’ on farm,” says Kieran McCahon. Kieran, Waikato/Bay of Plenty FMG Young Farmer of the Year, grew up on his family’s 1000-cow dairy farm on Northland’s Pouto Peninsula, near Dargaville. He gained […]