27 August 2018

A rugby club or team will get the chance to learn skills from rugby legend Richard Loe as part of a programme to improve health and safety on the farm.

Farmers, their families, employees and contractors are being encouraged to send WorkSafe’s Safer Farms programme examples of how they’re farming safely. The winner can then nominate their favourite rugby club or team to receive a coaching session from Richard Loe, WorkSafe’s Safer Farms ambassador.

Al McCone, sector lead agriculture at WorkSafe, said: “We are seeing many farmers stepping up to the plate and introducing simple steps to reduce the chances of an accident happening.

“Many farmers now accept that it isn’t about compliance, or form-filling, but about making health and safety a priority.  That includes keeping their workers and their families safe by identifying and managing risks on their farms.

“This competition is one way to showcase these changing attitudes and the improvements farmers have made, and also reward someone who has made a real difference.”

Richard Loe, who farms in Oxford, North Canterbury, said: “We all know farming can be a risky job. Dealing with the changing weather, animals and large machinery can be dangerous. Some simple steps can reduce the risk of an accident happening and the severity of them if they do occur.

“I want to be safe on my farm, I want my workers and contractors to be safe and I want my family to be safe. It’s about thinking or talking through a job before you tackle it.

“If you have a favourite team or club that needs a hand with their scrum or lineout, enter the competition and they could get a visit from me.”

To enter the competition, farmers, their families, workers or contractors can visit www.worksafe.govt.nz/rugbycomp(external link) and submit a brief explanation about the steps they have taken on a farm to improve health and safety. This could include technological innovations, hazard mapping or worker engagement. Entries can also include a video or photograph.

Entries close on Friday 21 September 2018.

A shortlist selected by WorkSafe will be submitted to a judging panel comprising representatives of Beef + Lamb NZ, DairyNZ and Federated Farmers.  The panel will choose the best example of farm health and safety based on its creativity, practicality and implementation. The nominated team must be under 18 years old. Please see www.worksafe.govt.nz/rugbycomp(external link) for terms and conditions.