Farm Safety

Agricultural Safety - Is it an issue?

According to New Plymouth injury statistics, agriculture, forestry and fishing account for 15% of new work-related ACC claims. The most common injuries sustained on farms are soft tissue injuries (42%) and fracture dislocations (30%).

It is not only those who work on farms that are at risk - hospital and emergency department injury statistics reveal that children also experience injury involving motorbikes/ATV's, farm vehicles and machinery; and livestock among other hazards.

Analysis of hundreds of the Department of Labour’s investigations shows an increase in workplace fatalities over the summer months. Over the last year 29 people died while working on farms, vineyards, forests and construction sites. In what is normally a festive season many families will be grieving the loss of a loved one; a loss that could have been avoided.

The causes of the surge in summer fatalities include working longer hours as people try to make the most of good weather, fewer and often untrained staff filling in for those on holiday, dehydration, heat exhaustion, alcohol consumption and its residual effects, and the use of more contractors.

According to Department of Labour statistics, male workers aged between 45 and 54 years have the highest number of summertime fatality incidents. This trend is applicable to all industries but particularly to the agriculture sector.