Editorial: Sensible move
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
"We are seeing some positive results from industry efforts with WorkSafe statistics, released to us yesterday, showing that on farm fatalities for the Christmas New Year period have declined from four in 2010 to just one in 2014," says Jeanette Maxwell, Federated Farmers health & safety spokesperson.
"Coinciding with that, ACC's statistics, on annual farm fatalities, show a 17.5% reduction (decline of 32) in deaths since 2008. We have also seen growth in farmers using health and safety plans on farm with a 48% increase in purchases of our occupational health & safety policy, and a 13.5% increase in purchases of our workplace drug and alcohol policy, since 2012.
"This is really positive news and shows the collaboration between Federated Farmers, ACC, the Department of Labour, WorkSafe, FarmSafe and other organisations is really starting to pay off with greater awareness of health and safety.
"With fatalities trending down from the use of active education, communication, and a growing awareness that mental and physical health are also key to reduced fatalities, farmers will be in good stead when the new regulations come to fore.
"Whilst no fatality is acceptable, what we are seeing is a culture change from the hard work of the agricultural industry and its stakeholders. Just like improving our water quality, these things take time.
"These statistics show we are well on our way to getting it right and I would like to thank everyone who has worked with us and alongside us to improve health and safety on farm," says Maxwell.
