ATS Newsbrief March 2014
Are you aware of and prepared for the changes coming as a result of the Health and Safety Reform Bill? The Bill is part of the Government’s Working Safer initiative aimed at reducing our workplace injury and death toll by 25 per cent by 2020, and was originally planned to become law in April. Neal Shaw, Group CEO This has been pushed back while a new select committee takes a look at the Bill before reporting back to parliament at the end of March. It is likely it will come into effect later this year. When the new Health and Safety at Work Act comes into force, it will replace the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 and the Machinery Act 1950. The Bill proposes the new concept of PCBU—a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking, with PCBU’s having the primary duty to ensure health and safety under the new law. Generally this will apply to businesses and companies rather than individuals and will have a much broader application within a workplace. Company directors and those at governance level within an organisation will also have greater accountability under the proposed Bill, and will have to demonstrate their commitment to this important aspect of their business.
The Bill also aims to ensure workers take some personal responsibility when on a job, for their own safety. The new legislation makes provision for all involved, from a governance level to workers on a work site, having to take some responsibility for ensuring health and safety standards are met. The new health and safety law is based on Australian legislation which has seen a 16 per cent reduction in work related deaths over the last couple of years. In New Zealand around 75 people died on the job every year and the Working Safer initiative is aimed at matching, and hopefully, bettering Australia’s improved record. It is up to all of us to make sure we know what our duties and requirements are under the proposed new legislation to ensure we are compliant, and more importantly, safe in our workplaces. To find out more about how the new legislation will affect you, go to WorkSafe NZ and the Health and Safety Reform Bill http:// www.business.govt.nz/worksafe. Alternatively you can contact Ruralco Supplier, Unique Solutions or register for one of ATS’s Farm Safety Training sessions by visiting www.ats.co.nz/farmsafety.
See you at the South Island Agricultural Field Days ATS will be one of more than 450 exhibitors at this year’s South Island Agricultural Field Days (SIAFD) being held at the organisation’s new Kirwee location. The 40 hectare site allows for a greater number of both exhibitors and visitors and replaces the previously leased site at Lincoln, where it has been based for the past 32 years. This year’s Field Days will run from March 25 to March 27 at the new Courtney Road site
and organisers are expecting the usual crowd of 25,000 over the three day event to be even bigger this year. The Field Days is one of the South Islands oldest and largest agricultural events with a history spanning 64 years, and is a great opportunity to see the best of agricultural equipment, technology and expertise all in one place. ATS, together with key suppliers will be at sites 429 and 430 with some great field days specials. So make a point of dropping in to see us for a cup of tea and a catch up. We look forward to seeing you there.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Farm Safety Training for Members 17 March 21 April 19 May
For more information or to RSVP, call 0800 BUY ATS (289 287) or go to www.ats.co.nz/farmsafety
09 March
Nutrient Management Roadshow—Ashburton Register now at www.dwn.co.nz or phone 07 974 4850.
14 March
Mayfield A&P Show
21 March
Methven A&P Show
25–27 March
South Island Agriculture Field Days Join ATS and key Suppliers at sites 429 & 430 for a cup of tea and a catch up. We look forward to seeing you there.
5 April
Daylight Saving ends
STORE HOURS
Ashburton Monday–Friday, 8am–5.30pm Saturday, 9am–12pm
Methven Monday–Friday, 8am–5.30pm
Rakaia Monday–Friday, 8am–5.30pm If you have any urgent requirements during closed hours and public holidays, the duty manager can be reached on 03 307 5100 or 027 487 6865.
New online shopping options for gifts and homeware In addition to farm supply goods, you can now shop for selected gift and homeware items when you visit the ATS Online Shop. A click of the mouse is all that it takes to order farm and homeware supplies online, then collect from any of our three stores (Ashburton, Methven or Rakaia) or have them delivered to you on farm.* Check out www.ats.co.nz/shop today. *The ATS freight free service is complimentary to ATS members with orders over $1000. Freight delivery is available for orders of a lesser value however chargers apply. The freight service does not include gift & homeware or groceries.
Your safety is important to us— we can help ATS is always looking for ways to best help our members stay safe and compliant, especially when it comes to on-farm safety. This year we are continuing our Farm Safety Training Courses, in conjunction with Unique Solutions, to ensure you have access to up-to-date health and safety requirements (especially as legislation changes are expected to come into effect later this year) and to ensure you and your staff keep safe in your workplace. Courses cost $550 (GST and member discount inclusive) and seating is strictly limited, with training expected to take place every month throughout the year. Staying safe around chemicals is another way we can help. Approved Handler Certificates are necessary to purchase and apply many chemicals, and we can assist with this process—especially with the renewing of certificates. If you would like to know more about either of these services, please call Peter Jacob on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287), or to book a spot on our training courses email book@ats.co.nz or visit www.ats.co.nz/farmsafety.
Accounts made easy The ATS Finance team is continuing to improve its service to members, and has made receiving and understanding your accounts even easier. Now you can have your statements and invoices emailed directly to you on the fifth working day of each month. This is especially useful if you have an unreliable postal service or if you just prefer to cut back on your paper trail. Direct debits have also been made easier, with returns now excluded, so the amount on your statement matches the amount taken from your bank account. The Finance team can also hold amounts from a Direct Debit if you have a query regarding a Ruralco Supplier, ATS Farm Supplies, Ballance fertiliser or your electricity account. Please contact ATS by the 15th of the month if you require an amount held from your direct debit or if you are withholding an amount from your payment to ensure the supplier is not paid. If you would like to know more about setting up a Direct Debit; you have a query regarding an account; would like your statements and invoices emailed directly; or any other account queries please contact the ATS Finance team on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).
Keep stones out of grain storage ATS Seed has reported a growing occurrence of stones in grain, which is becoming a problem for end users, and especially those processing grain in small crushers on dairy farms. Please take care when filling silos and when sweeping or scooping up grain to make sure stones are not present and inadvertently added to your stored grain. It is also timely to remember to take accurate running samples for each stored line of grain, taking into consideration quality parameters like moisture, test weight, screenings and protein. For more information please contact ATS Seed on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).
RURALCO SUPPLIER UPDATES Please visit www.ruralco.co.nz for more new suppliers and information on locations and contact details. Real discounts for real farmers
NEW SUPPLIERS
Nationwide PORTER HIRE, PORTER ACCESS, PORTER CRANES 20% off book value or book rate hire costs Freight, fuel, quoted pricing, sale and special items – nett SUPERCHEAP AUTO 10% off all items Sale and special items – nett
Christchurch ACTION PLUMBING, GAS & DRAINAGE SVS LTD 10% off labour Sale and special items – nett BROWNIES MATTRESS DIRECT 15% off lowest ticketed price including sales CANTERBURY TIMBER & HARDWARE 7.5% off labour Quoted pricing – nett GARDEN CITY FLORIST 20% discount off flowers and giftware Sale items and Specials – nett HOLLANDS COLLISION CENTRE 7.5% off labour Quoted pricing – nett
Oamaru
Your energy questions answered
Bulk on farm fuel with Ruralco
Are you paying too much for your electricity? Do you want to know about LPG? Need help understanding your energy bills? ATS Energy is a specialist service which can provide you with the answers you need for your farming operation. We can provide a free, no obligation comparison from our energy partners so you can see if there are any potential savings to be had for your home or farm by paying your electricity accounts through ATS. We can also help with other energy needs, such as LPG, and help you find the best solution and option for your individual requirements. For more information, contact ATS Energy Account Manager, Tracey Gordon on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).
Ashburton Trading Society Ltd 97 Burnett Street, PO Box 131 Ashburton
Tel 03 307 5100 Fax 03 307 6723 ats@ats.co.nz
Ruralco aims to provide the best on-farm fuel deals for our cardholders. Allied Petroleum and our new partner Nelson Petroleum Distribution are Ruralco’s two bulk fuel suppliers. We believe through them we can match or better all market offers for our cardholders. To view a complete and up-to-date list of bulk fuel pricing visit www.ruralco.co.nz/fuel. Contact the ATS Customer Service Centre today on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287) to organise bulk on farm fuel for your business or to make sure you are getting the best deal.
Your mobile weather forecast
DELECTABLES BAKERY 10% off all bakery items SHEET METAL SPECIALISTS LTD 10% off on retail steel and products $60.00 + GST per hour Quoted Items – nett
RESIGNED SUPPLIERS CLASSIC CLOTHING
Nationwide GEOFF HAMPTON ENGINEERING LTD Southbridge NANDOS Ashburton
Need weather on the go? Be sure to visit our website www.ats.co.nz which can be easily viewed from mobile devices via the login called My ATS.
www.ats.co.nz