Seasonal tasks put blip in injury figures

Every year many farmers and farm workers are injured while carrying out winter jobs. Working closely with livestock during calving and lifting heavy loads for jobs like feeding out lead to some of the highest number of monthly claims to ACC for workplace injuries in the sector.

“Distinct seasonal trends in injuries can be identified for both the dairy sector and the grain, sheep and beef sectors in line with key activities in the farming calendar,” Angela Mansell, Director Engagement and Implementation for WorkSafe New Zealand, says. “For instance, for the dairy sector, injuries requiring more than a week off work are most likely to occur during winter, with the highest number in August, in line with calving season. “The number of injuries caused by being hit or bitten by an animal is highest during August and September and accounts for the largest number of claims for any months. “Farmers need to think how they will manage these risks as they start to prepare calving sheds. It’s also a good time to do some preparation with those who will be working in them. “Even people who are very experienced around calving will benefit, while preparation and training are critical for those who are new to it.” A good starting point is to talk with workers about how calving has gone in previous years. “In particular, what injury incidents or near misses have there been? What do they see as the biggest risk factors and what can be done to mitigate them?” Angela says. “It could be the physical layout of the shed, awareness about best handling techniques, personal protective equipment, slippery flooring or temperament of specific animals.” Injury patterns are also influenced by factors that may not result from the seasonal activity itself but the preconditions these create. “Fatigue, for instance, increases the risk of accidents," Angela says. “Vehiclerelated injury numbers start to rise sharply during August. “June to August sees the most accidents caused by hitting moving objects and the highest number of falls on the same level. Winter conditions are a factor but tired people don’t think as clearly or respond as swiftly.” The second highest number of ACC claims from agricultural workers comes during August and these are for muscular stress while lifting, carrying or putting down objects. Many lumbar strain incidents happen in the sheep, beef and grain sector at this time, with lifting heavy bales for feeding out likely to be a factor. “Again, now is a good time to brush up on best-practice advice around lifting and manual handling techniques. There are resources on the WorkSafe website to help guide all these conversations with your people.” Overall, injuries requiring more than a week off work are significantly higher for employees than self-employed individuals in the agricultural sector. “Winter is challenging enough in terms of having people down with colds and flu and now we also have COVID-19 in the equation.

USEFUL RESOURCES

• Managing Health and Safety: a guide for farmers. • Safe Cattle Handling Guide. • Preventing Manual Handling Injuries on Farms – guidelines. • Preventing Slips, Trips and

Falls on Farms.

Available at worksafe.govt.nz

“Some advance health and safety planning now will help manage the risk to productivity of being short-staffed during some of the most challenging months of the year," Angela says.

Article supplied by WorkSafe

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