Farm deaths fall as campaign launched
Ten people died on farms last year, compared with 19 the year before.
In 2014, 2015 and 2016, an average of 15 farmers died, mostly in vehicle accidents.
Julie Dee of Waimate, whose husband Paul died in an all terrain (ATV) side-by-side buggy last April, said he was unfortunately not a farmer who lived and learned by his mistake.
She is backing a Safer Vehicles, Safer Farms campaign by WorkSafe to throw the spotlight on vehicles and accidents, because almost 90 per cent of farm deaths involve vehicles and machinery.
‘‘People make mistakes and accidents happen - but if Paul had been wearing a seatbelt in the ATV side-by-side buggy I believe that he would have lived, as the roll cage would have protected him instead of crushing him. If this fact can save other lives it is worth speaking about,’’ Dee said.
WorkSafe’s deputy-general manager assessments Jo Pugh said officials were stepping up their assessments programme, and would be visiting farms with or without warning.
‘‘When WorkSafe are conducting agricultural assessment visits we alert regions that we will be in the area and offer the chance to book an appointment time - or advise that we will be likely to turn up.
‘‘We find we get a better response when farmers know we are coming,’’ Pugh said.
Dee said education was a ‘‘massive’’ part of the answer towards improving safety.
‘‘I think a mass change in culture and attitude towards safety is also part of the answer including educating future generations of farmers.
‘‘People need to be aware about the accidents others have had, to try and get them to reassess what ‘safe’ looks like in vehicles on farm and what is ‘ok’ to teach the next generation.’’
Dee supported the idea of a change in seatbelt culture.