Latest news with #ACOPs
Scoop
29-07-2025
- General
- Scoop
New Farm Safety Approach Reflects Rural Realities
Consultation on proposed changes to on-farm health and safety rules recognise what rural families have been saying for years – farms are not just workplaces, they are homes and family businesses too. 'The Government's review reflects the real lives of many rural families and the fact the farm is a home where children grow up immersed in the rhythms and responsibilities of farming life,' says Rural Women New Zealand National President Sandra Matthews. Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) has consistently argued that health and safety frameworks must be developed in consultation with rural communities to ensure they reflect the realities of life on the farm. 'It is critical that rural voices are at the forefront of farming safety, so we are particularly pleased to see the Government's commitment to consult farmers directly and have industry groups work alongside WorkSafe to develop new codes of practice,' Matthews says. 'Reforms that clearly define the role of children on farm are essential to strike the right balance between common sense, keeping children safe and preserving the valuable learning experiences that come from being involved in farm life. They will also provide confidence to farming parents.' RWNZ also supports continued restrictions on higher-risk tasks without supervision and welcomes the shift toward a more flexible and context-aware regulatory framework, particularly the new model where compliance with Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs) can demonstrate that health and safety duties are being met. 'Rural women, who often juggle roles as caregivers, farmers and business operators, have long understood that farms are both a business and a family home,' Matthews says. 'It is impossible to divorce the two and the Government's reforms appropriately recognise this.'
Scoop
28-07-2025
- General
- Scoop
Practical Safety Changes Coming For Family Farms
Hon Brooke van Velden Minister of Workplace Relations and Safety Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden has announced targeted consultation with farmers and the wider agriculture sector to ensure health and safety regulations reflect the realities of farm life. 'I'm consulting with rural Kiwis in the agriculture sector on changes that will ensure health and safety requirements are workable and practical,' says Ms van Velden. 'Farmers know their farms and the risks that come with farming life better than anyone. They've told me the law needs to recognise that the farm is often both their workplace and their home. That includes making space for children to safely learn and contribute to farm life in ways that are safe and age-appropriate.' One proposed change is to amend the General Risk Regulations to make it clear that young people can safely take part in light chores on family farms. We'll be consulting with farmers and the agriculture sector on the thresholds for light chores children can do on farms, like collecting eggs, feeding small animals and watering plants, while ensuring safety is not compromised. I expect higher-risk activities such as being near heavy machinery like a hay baler will remain off-limits. As children grow older, they'll be able to undertake more complex tasks with supervision and training, such as driving a tractor. These changes will give confidence to farming families that their children can continue to be involved with the family business. 'I have also heard that farmers and forestry operators want industry-led codes of practice that reflect real-world conditions. I have asked WorkSafe to develop two Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs) in consultation with the agriculture sector. While compliance with ACOPs is currently voluntary, as part of my health and safety reform, I am making a change to the ACOP model to reassure people that if they comply with an ACOP, they have done enough to meet their health and safety duties. WorkSafe will be developing an ACOP on roles and responsibilities in agriculture to help farmers navigate work activities. In particular, it will provide clearer guidance on overlapping duties and PCBU responsibilities in agriculture. 'Farmers and other businesses coming on to the farm need to know what health and safety duties they are each responsible for and how they can best work together to manage the risks. For example, if a fencing contractor is working on a farm, both the contractor and the farmer will need to manage risks relating to their work, like moving vehicles or the use of agricultural sprays. Another ACOP that will be developed will focus on the safe use of farm vehicles and machinery, ensuring guidance reflects how modern farms operate. It will cover the safe use of quad bikes, tractors, light utility vehicles such as side-by-sides, and two-wheel motorbikes, as well as farm machinery. 'Too many people are killed or seriously injured in quad-bike related incidents. However, I understand there are varying practices and views on what protections will best enhance safety and reduce harm. 'It is important that the ACOP provides practical, workable advice on the safe use of quad bikes and light tractors in a variety of circumstances to help address the high rates of harm. 'I expect WorkSafe to work closely with the agriculture sector when developing these ACOPs to ensure that any rules are sensible and workable. It is important that farmers who know their work best are able to help shape the rules that will help keep them safe,' says Ms van Velden 'These changes will save time and costs for businesses and workers as we cut red-tape to make it easier to do business. When our Kiwi businesses thrive, there are more jobs and lower prices for all New Zealanders.' • These changes are part of the wider health and safety reform, which delivers on the ACT-National Coalition Agreement commitment to reform health and safety laws and regulations. • A summary of all the changes and major milestones:
