Safety first as new law kicks in
Southland farmers are playing it safe as new health and safety legislation kicks in, with some taking to putting hi-vis vests on stock before moving them on the roads.
The new health and safety legislation comes into effect on April 4.
Farmers have been under the microscope, with Southland’s sheep farmers taking the new laws very seriously.
Southland sheep farmer Roger Acres said he had been trialling putting high-visibility vests on his sheep while moving stock on the road.
While he was not sure whether it was necessary to do so, he said he took health and safety very seriously on his farm and had ordered 3000 vests for his entire flock.
‘‘We think they look great and so many tourists have been stopping to get photos with them.’’
Acres was also considering getting specially fitted vests for his working dogs, to ensure their safety on the road.
His dogs were the hardest working employees on his farm, he said. ‘‘You can pay thousands of dollars for a good dog. You don’t want to lose it because someone hasn’t seen it and hits it on the road.’’
A health and safety incident could be related to transport, handling livestock or falls on the farm.
Acres was expecting to get clarification on the rules by noon today.