Federated Farmers launched a safety awareness campaign at the start of September to try to avoid a spike of on-farm fatalities in spring such as occurred last year.
Vice-president and healthy and safety spokesperson for Federated Farmers, Karen Williams, was determined to engage with rural New Zealand and encourage safe practices.
The safety on-farm photo competition was a way to start this engagement and we were delighted when our strategic partner Yamaha agreed to provide the winner with a $500 voucher. WorkSafe also jumped in on the support by providing some spot prizes for both kids and adults who entered.
The photo competition came to a close on Monday 13th September and a big thanks to everyone who entered. It was great to see people getting their family and colleagues out there getting the jobs done, having some fun and being safe.
The winner was a great shot of Jerry Cadman and Mitch Williams shearing and being COVID-19 safe with masks on. For a bit of humour for the photo, the sheep also got some extra protection. We also loved that they had a clear deck, harnesses on for back support and some electrolyte drinks standing by. Karee Cadman took the photo; she and Jerry farm sheep and beef in Raetihi.

Some highly commendeds: (Left) Ashburton farmer Tara Mielnik with all the right gear and set-up to stay safe; (right) helmeted 5-year-old William supervised by his sharemilker dad Michael helping out on farm in the Tasman district, and (bottom) Tim Newton nailing up a QR code on a family farm in Raglan.
