AsureQuality announces ACC partnership

15th September 2008

AsureQuality announces ACC partnership for forestry and agriculture training

New Zealand's leading provider of food safety and biosecurity assurance services, AsureQuality, is partnering with ACC to deliver safety training courses across the country's two backbone industries - agriculture and forestry.

AsureQuality will run the courses nationwide under ACC's Workplace Safety Discount (WSD) programme, whereby small businesses and self employed people in the agricultural and forestry sectors can save 10% off the Workplace component of their ACC levy by demonstrating sound health and safety practices.

AsureQuality's On Farm Services Business Manager Tim Dashfield says the partnership is welcomed by the company which is already in many instances working at the heart of both the agriculture and forestry industries.

"Delivering these courses under ACC's Workplace Safety Discounts programme is a natural extension for AsureQuality with our people already working in the field in both industries - our reputation is already established with many of the individuals targeted by the new programmes," says Mr Dashfield.

"We see first hand the hazards and injuries that these courses cover - and we also see the consequences of agriculture and forestry workers who are ill-prepared in health and safety practices in their businesses."

AsureQuality is the country's pre-eminent supplier for agriculture based services, covering everything from animal health diagnostics to complete farm services. On farm activities range from blood sampling, facial eczema monitoring and TB testing. This is complemented by a training and certification service.

Within the forestry sector, the company undertakes a full range of auditing services, including those as an Independent Verification Agency (IVA) together with certification under the Australian wood packaging certification scheme. The company also offers complete timber treatment services and forest product conformity assessments.

"We've selected AsureQuality as a partner for delivering WSD programmes in agriculture and forestry because of their proven expertise and involvement in these sectors. They are a natural partner for us in these industries," says ACC's Agriculture Programme Manager, Peter Jones.

Rural safety has been the focus of a new ACC campaign this year and Mr Jones says the AsureQuality training programme is an important component of this, ensuring the practical advice and learnings are in place to combat health and safety issues in the agricultural environment.

"If a farmer is badly injured their lifestyle and income is at serious risk. Not only must they pay someone else to do their job for them, they may never be able to farm again. That's a pretty good motivator to make farmers think seriously about the effects of any injury," he adds.

The AsureQuality courses in agriculture and forestry are held in most regions every few weeks. The training courses are half a day long and are free to participants.

To register for either course, contact AsureQuality on 0508 001 122 or visit www.asurequality.com

ENDS

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