Farm safety
The agriculture sector is one of New Zealand's most hazardous. Explore the harms, and find best practice health and safety recommendations.
Developing preventive measures and better safety standards
Effective safety campaigns and initiatives can raise the awareness of workplace risk factors and encourage safe behaviours.
Who is at risk on the farm
Find out which groups are most at risk of accident or injury on the farm.
Risks that farmers and farm workers are exposed to
Farm managers and workers are at risk from machinery, vehicles, and livestock.
A major health and safety issue in Aotearoa
In New Zealand on average 60 farm workers are injured every day—and every three weeks a farm worker dies from a work-related incident. In 2020, the number of accepted ACC claims made in were 22,796, at an estimated cost of $84 million.
The most common types of farming injury in 2020 were:
- soft tissue injuries (66%)
- laceration
- puncture or sting (17%)
- fracture or dislocation (6%).
Quad bikes are involved in 40% of fatal farm incidents with drivers experiencing head injuries, and over half resulting from an overturned quad bike.
Unpublished ACC data indicate that farm fatalities may be decreasing, but farm injuries are increasing. Studies of the agricultural sector also indicate that stress and fatigue are the major contributors in many fatalities, injuries and illnesses, as well as suicides.
There are a number of risks associated with working in agriculture including physical risks, chemical risks, biological risks, risks from poor ergonomics and psychosocial risks.
Working hours on farms can also vary depending on the season and the demands made by the care of animals and crops.
Feedback
To find out more about the Wellbeing at Work initiative, or to give us your feedback on the early material, contact Professor Joanne Crawford.
Professor of Health and Safety
School of Health
References
- Accident Compensation Corporation (2023), ACC injury statistics (2022). Wellington: Government Printer.
- Ang, H.B (A) & Woodside, A.G., (2018). Is Bart Simpson offering sage advice? A case-based general theory of managers’ core self-evaluations and job satisfaction, Journal of Business Research. 74, 11-37.
- FarmSafe (2020). Operate and maintain powered orchard machinery, Farm: Skills, Telford: Division of Lincoln University.
Journal of Agromedicine (under review) Qualitative Analysis Following the Delivery of a Farmer Lifestyle Programme. - Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment. (2023) Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (Version 24 August 2023)
- Nag, P.K., Gite, L.P. (2020) Farm Accidents and Injuries. In: Human-Centered Agriculture DesignScience and Innovation. Springer, Singapore.
OSHA. (2004). OSH Act of 1970. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Washington DC, USA. - Porter, N. (2021). Farmer injuries research five-year high, hitting $84 million in ACC claims. Stuff, Wellington.
ILO (2011). Safety and health in agriculture. ILO code of practice. International Labour Office - Geneva: ILO