Flexible approach key to tackling health, safety issues

Will Foley

Health and safety regulation is on farmers' minds, especially in Hawke's Bay.

I have never had so much feedback on a regular basis from disgruntled farmers about what is going on or what potentially is coming up with regulation and compliance.

At the start of the year, Federated Farmers national president William Rolleston labelled health and safety as one of the priorities for 2015.

The evidence shows agriculture has poor statistics around health and safety and, compared with other industries, the most fatalities and serious injuries.

We've also been the slowest to adapt in recent years so you can appreciate the focus on agriculture.

No one disagrees we have to do better. What we don't agree on is the method to do so.

WorkSafe took over from the Department of Labour as health and safety regulator some time ago but did nothing to engage farmers over their health and safety practices.

Hostilities occurred when farmers and WorkSafe met on the side of the road or at the end of a driveway.

Ultimately there were no improvements and WorkSafe's big-stick approach without a focus on educating about risks failed.

Since then, WorkSafe has adopted a new approach with the launch of its Safer Farms programme.

It is thought this will be less authoritarian and more engaging, with farmers advised of regulations in a prescriptive manner.

Meanwhile, I'm continually asked what Federated Farmers is doing about this issue.

Overall, we have opposed the introduction of potentially oppressive compliance costs in upcoming reform legislation that is before Parliament.

We want politicians to understand a farm is more than just a workplace with regards to children, recreation, and visitors.

We are also engaging with WorkSafe and others in the industry to address the quad-bike hazard.

We have specifically opposed the prohibition on passengers on quad bikes. I haven't met a farmer who thinks this should be a rule.

While I can't give you any good news yet, we are working hard on this with MPI, WorkSafe and manufacturers.

What Federated Farmers is trying to achieve for farmers is flexibility around the whole health and safety approach and a move away from one-size-fits all rules that are an impediment to safe practice.

Whichever approach WorkSafe uses to get farmers engaged, it will make a difference and we'll see an improvement in our record, an outcome everyone can aspire to.

Will Foley is Federated Farmers HB provincial president.