Triplets on Hawke's Bay farm help spread child safety message

SAFETY FIRST: Triplets, Zara, Lily and Henry Peacock are helping to spread an important message about safety on Hawke's Bay farms. PHOTO/Supplied.

For triplets, Zara, Lily and Henry Peacock, the importance of safety has been drilled in to them from a very young age.

And as little ones on their Waitere farm, they have picked up this responsibility with much enthusiasm.

They are featured in Pamu's Kids on Farms safety policy, which was released to all Pamu farms in December - something which has "delighted" the triplets.

Their mum, Amy Peacock said "It is almost impossible to keep an eye on all three of them all the time so we have walked and talked safety with them virtually since they were born".

"We are lucky that they love bright colours, because they are always keen to pull on their High Vis, which they know they have to wear before they step out the door."

The policy restates and brings together in one document all the expectations Pamu has of its farm staff, when it comes to children on their farms.

The Kids on Farm booklet includes a colouring competition, so Pāmu farm kids can have fun while getting some information about being safe on farms.

Chief executive Steven Carden said safety is the most important priority on all Pamu farms.

"At Pamu, we have been on a safety journey following the tragic deaths of three staff in the space of six months on our farms several years ago. We have completely re-evaluated our approach to safety and have initiated a range of measures, from the launch last year of the Pāmu Academy, offering tailored, leadership focused safety programs, to initiatives such as this refresh of our Kids on Farms policy."

"We have seen a turnaround in our safety performance, our safety culture and a flow on effect to improved operational efficiencies, thanks to the approach to safety leadership that we have developed along with our partners, Wilson Consulting Group.

Mr Carden said children are an integral part of farm life, with almost 300 children and teens on our farms.

The Kids on Farm policy brings together all existing safety policies relating to children in a colourful booklet, with the Peacock triplets as some of the stars.

"We want to make our safety messages accessible and we have learnt that notices on a wall board don't work. It is about leadership, culture and providing information in an accessible and visually pleasing way," Mr Carden said.