Farmers should be relieved that most operations will not be classed as “high risk work places”, according to New Zealand’s levy board.
The latest reform bill means farms will not be required to have their own health and safety representative, Beef and Lamb New Zealand has reassured farmers.
Chairman James Parsons noted that sheep and beef farms average fewer than two full time employees.
He questioned the logic of a farm choosing a health and safety representative from a two-man shepherd and farm manager team.
However, he added: “Not classifying farms as high risk doesn’t exempt farm businesses from any liability under the health and safety reform bill. But the amendment does recognise some basic practicalities of implementing the legislation on farms.”
The organisation has been engaging with WorkSafe New Zealand to inform the government, along with Federated Farmers and DairyNZ.
Commenting on the consensus across the farming industry, he said: “We’re all on the same page when it comes to reducing farm fatalities and accidents so along with other organisations in the sector, we’ve been working closely with government ministers and officials to find workable rules that deliver that outcome.”
Source: The Dairy Site
