Health and Safety top priority for Association President

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release 7 October 2014

Health and Safety top priority for Association President

Richard Parkes, Canterbury A&P Association President and Partner at Christchurch law firm Cavell Leitch, is urging farmers to continue to assess and improve their health and safety practices and is leading by example by implementing new initiatives and policies for the Canterbury A&P Show.

Mr Parkes said that there has been a renewed focus on Health and Safety across New Zealand after the Pike River disaster and Canterbury earthquakes, which has resulted in the introduction of WorkSafe New Zealand as a regulator, enforcer and resource for farmers.

“Farmers know that they need to consider more carefully good health and safety practises on their farms. In the past there was a real ‘she’ll be right’ attitude, however in recent times this has been changing. Increased health and safety publicity, new legislation planned and farmers becoming more sophisticated in their practises have resulted in many farmers developing good plans to isolate, understand and prevent on-farm risks.”

“Just because certain methods have been used in the past, doesn’t mean farmers should continue using them. Farmers should be encouraged to look for ways to improve and find safer, more effective methods to carry out duties.”

Mr Parkes noted that there has already been an encouraging level of engagement through WorkSafe consultation with farmers and employees in the dairy industry over guidelines covering health and safety issues in a number of areas.

“We expect that the number of workplace fatalities, serious harm injuries and work-related disease and illness will steadily decline and have confidence the agricultural industry will play a large part in achieving a 25 percent reduction by 2020 of the workplace death and injury toll in New Zealand.”

Mr Parkes is believed to be the first lawyer and non-farmer to hold the top position at the Canterbury A&P Association, and has been eager to lend his expertise to ensure that the Association’s Health and Safety plans are up to scratch.

“In particular we have a blanket rule that helmets must be worn at all times on ATVs as this has been a growing area of concern on farms. Specific guidelines for ATV best practice have now been published following consultation, so it’s important that the urban and rural communities see the Association sticking to and promoting these practices during the Show.”

Mr Parkes said that the Association has put other initiatives in place in 2014 including increased St John’s ambulance presence during the Show, constructed a robust earthquake plan and is also running educational days for volunteers that will operate forklifts during the set up for the Show.

-ENDS-

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