Farmers happy voice has been heard

Paul Robinson at last month's meeting where about 250 farmers voiced their disapproval of the impact proposed health and safety reforms would have on their operations. Photo / Duncan Brown

Health and safety reform issues seem to be full of surprises for Hawke's Bay farmers who challenged proposed changes because of fears for the futures of their farms and businesses.

After the surprises, when proposals first surfaced, came the surprise at some apparent lack of wider outcry, which put a certain amount of urgency into their steps when the farmers called a meeting in Havelock North last month, and saw more than 250 people come through the doors in an encouraging sign of unity as the proposal headed towards the next debate at Parliament.

The issue of helmets and how many can ride a quadbike remains an issue out on the farm.

But, perhaps biggest of all was the turnaround last week in amendments to the changes proposed for replacing the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 and the Machinery Act 1950.

Hugh Pearse and Paul Robinson, Hawke's Bay farmers who called the meeting, both conceded this week they hadn't seen it coming so soon, but they don't believe farmers are being let off lightly, and it's not over yet.

Mr Robinson, who manages Kahuranaki Station, said: "It did catch us by surprise. We didn't know if we were making a difference.

"But, it's still got to go through. Hopefully, it will."

At the meeting, where much concern was expressed about a lack of consultation, farmers were told by Wairarapa MP Alastair Scott the bill would go through with only minor changes to proposals farmers saw as impractical for farming in New Zealand.

But Mr Robinson is confident the voices have been heard, although there remain concerns about some limits which could be placed on the use of quadbikes.

Highlighting some of the concerns, Beef +Lamb New Zealand chairman James Parsons said sheep and beef farms averaged fewer than two full-time employees per farm.

"Can you imagine the farm manager and the shepherd standing on a hill and electing the health and safety representative?" he said. "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.

"Few people realise that farms have 110,000 workers managing over half of New Zealand's estate. When you include families that live on these farms coupled with numerous visitors, it's hard to eliminate every accident. However, as an industry organisation, we have said to the Government we will take responsibility for improving our safety record, so work with us please.

"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."

The "special nature" of farms was now being taken into account, he said.

Mr Robinson, other farmers and the farming groups still have concerns about regulations which might ban passengers on quadbikes, and there have been issues about safety inspections, and the powers against offences under the legislation.

But he said a recent visit showed changes in attitudes. "Now it's different - they're helping."