YOUR LEVY AT WORK
HEALTH AND SAFETY IN HORTICULTURE Words by Kate Trufitt
Last year, 2020, will be remembered for Covid-19, lockdown, Labour winning the New Zealand election, Trump losing the United States election, changes in family circumstances – the list goes on, both good and bad. We faced an ever-changed world, still we Kiwis just got on with it and even managed to have a summer holiday. Operating during the height of Covid restrictions was a unique situation with extremely enhanced requirements for safety. It was also an opportunity for us all to gain a little more appreciation for the importance of good Health & Safety practices. In 2021 we look to continue the momentum. While many think Health & Safety is just a tick the box compliance requirement, we hope to change this perception by offering practical solutions that add value to growers’ businesses. The Horticulture New Zealand Board has representatives from a diverse range of horticulture industries. I am a director on the Horticulture New Zealand Board and the chair of the Horticulture Health and Safety Council (HHSC). Antony Heywood is a senior manager of Horticulture New Zealand, general manager of Vegetables NZ and is the secretary of HHSC. 14
NZGROWER : MARCH 2021
HHSC membership
Industry / Organisation represented
Kate Trufitt Chair
Horticulture New Zealand Board and Apata Kiwifruit Ltd
Antony Heywood Secretary
Horticulture New Zealand senior manager, Vegetables NZ general manager
Al McCone
Worksafe – agriculture lead
Loy Martinez
NZ Hothouse – covered crops (vegetables)
Erin Simpson
NZ Apples and Pears
Alysha Crockford
Mr Apple
Sarah Cameron
NZ Kiwifruit Growers Inc
Silua Ettles
NZ Winegrowers
The HHSC work on behalf on industry to improve Health & Safety practices across horticulture. During 2021, we will continue to update you with the work we are doing and look forward to engaging with more growers on Health & Safety.
