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Worksafe’s Excessive Fines for Farmers

Worksafe’s Excessive Fines for Farmers


WorkSafe NZ is risking a perception of revenue generation following another fine imposed on a farming couple for not wearing helmets and carrying children as passengers on a quad bike, disproportionately higher than fines for other safety breaches, says New Zealand First.

“This is the second crack at farmers this year, and at $40,000 for the farming couple it is an increase on the $15,000 imposed on a farmer several months ago,” says New Zealand First’s Primary Industries Spokesperson Richard Prosser.

“We are concerned that this big fine may be because there is a belief that farmers have more money.

“Quads are the modern work horse and are clearly dangerous if misused.

“Whilst we understand that quad safety is an issue, we are really concerned that farmers are being targeted and fined such a huge amount when road motorcyclists who get caught not wearing a helmet can be fined a maximum of $1000.

“Farmers should not be fined more than any others who fail to use safety gear, for example lifejackets and helmets. Let’s be fair about this.

New Zealand First Labour and Industrial Relations Spokesperson Clayton Mitchell says that every week on television reality shows we see non-farmers riding quad bikes without wearing helmets.

“I want to be quite clear that we do not condone carrying passengers, especially children, on quad bikes, but that is a separate issue and probably the more serious one,” says Mr Mitchell.

Mr Prosser says: There is a massive disparity between penalties for motorcyclists and motorists over helmet and seatbelt offences, and the fines dished out to cockies on the farm.

“There’s plenty of guidance out there on safe quad bike usage from manufacturer’s instructions to courses. And the lack of safety equipment being used is rife.

“We don’t want to see WorkSafe becoming a revenue generating monster, but most importantly, we want farmers, their families and friends to be safe, all year round and especially over Christmas,” says Mr Prosser.

ENDS

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