Time for farmers to get compliant

Bronwyn Muir.

OnFarmSafety managing director Bronwyn Muir says the honeymoon period is over for farmers to become health and safety compliant.

Farmers had six months to comply with the new Health & Safety at Work Act 2015 came into force and Worksafe has indicated it will now take a firmer line on enforcement.

"Farmers must become health and safety compliant," Bronwyn says. "Statistics show that over the past three years there has been little change in reducing the number of incidents and accidents on farm."

"Of late there has been several rural incidents and fatalities, many involving quad bikes. This is something we cannot ignore or presume to be common sense. Farmers need to take action to make their workplace safer, especially at this time of year when farmers are seasonally fatigued and there is poor weather and ground conditions.

"It's important to have regular meetings with staff ensuring health and safety is discussed, and also inducting contractors onto your farm," she says.

Farmers should all now be aware of their health and safety requirements and should have systems in place.

The legislation changed in April 2016, and everyone in the workplace has a responsibility to make sure their workplace is safe and healthy for all and evidence of this should be retained.

"Farmers tend to subconsciously be making health and safety decisions in their day-to-day activities. We encourage farm employers to have the discussions and make everyone on farm aware of the risks. They must put pen to paper or the whiteboard, take photos and document, document, document as a good business risk insurance policy. OnFarmSafety is an accredited health and safety provider to educate, support and assist farmers to become health and safety compliant."