ENVIRONMENTAL AND POLICY
The target of the external relations portfolio is to build on community and local government relationships whilst being the advocate for kiwifruit growers on wider issues such as health and safety and resource management.
The target of the external relations portfolio is to build on community and local government relationships whilst being the advocate for kiwifruit growers on wider issues such as health and safety and resource management.
The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) is New Zealand’s workplace health and safety law. Worksafe New Zealand (Worksafe) is the health and safety regulator that enforces compliance with HSWA.
Worksafe has a comprehensive website with tools and resources relevant to growers. Worksafe resources cover matters including:
A link is provided at the bottom of this page to relevant Worksafe resources.
Under HSWA, persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) must look after the health and safety of its workers and any other workers it influences or directs.
If you own and operate an orchard, you are a PCBU.
If you own but don’t operate an orchard you may or may not be a PCBU. For example where:
Zespri and NZKGI created guidance material to help growers understand their obligations as a PCBU. The guide includes a decision tree to help you understand whether you are the PCBU, and the key steps to hazard and risk management:
The guidance is here [ ]
Where an orchard is leased or managed by a third party, the lessee or management contractor may be the primary PCBU. They may also be the primary PCBU to any sub-contractors they engage.
For these arrangements, we recommend a Health and Safety Management System clause in the contract between the parties. A draft standard clause that growers can use is located here:
Where an orchard is leased or managed by a third party, the lessee or management contractor may be the primary PCBU. They may also be the primary PCBU to any sub-contractors they engage.
For these arrangements, we recommend a Health and Safety Management System clause in the contract between the parties. A draft standard clause that growers can use is located here:
Health and Safety Management System contract clause for managed or leased orchards
Harvest season brings distinct challenges for growers. A significant risk during harvest is pedestrian interaction with mobile plant.
Bay of Plenty Kiwifruit Industry Health & Safety Forum have developed a guide for preparing your load-out area to keep worker safe during harvest:
Guideline for safe orchard load pad operation
Also see the WorkSafe resources for guidance on managing work site traffic.
Orchards often have overhead lines running through them, so there’s significant risk of workers or orchard equipment accidentally touching lines. WorkSafe has a resource for working safely near power pole and overhead lines. The guide is located here:
Working safely near power poles and overhead overlines
If you’re planning a new orchard, Transpower New Zealand developed a guide specifically for planning kiwifruit orchards around power lines. The guide is located here:
Let’s Grow Together – a design guide for kiwifruit orchards
Workers need to be mentally and physically alert at work. Things like fatigue, drug and alcohol use, distractions, noise, health conditions, and psychosocial stress can impact on a worker’s ability to do their job safely.
Impairment from fatigue, drug and alcohol use should be identified as a risk under your health and safety management plan, and you should have an effective policy place to identify and deal with risks that may arise from impairment.
We have fact sheets for awareness about the risks of impairment from fatigue, drugs and alcohol. The guidance is intended to sit alongside your relevant health and safety plan and policies.
Drug and alcohol awareness fact sheet
Fatigue awareness fact sheet
Primary duty of care | WorkSafe
PCBUs working together: advice when contracting | WorkSafe
Keep safe, keep growing: How to be healthy and safe in horticulture | WorkSafe
Protecting your workers’ eyes | WorkSafe
Safe use of elevating work platforms in the horticulture industry | WorkSafe
Operating horticultural mobile elevating work platforms near overhead powerlines | WorkSafe
Working safely with chemicals and fuels on farms | WorkSafe
Safe use of self-propelled plant on farms | WorkSafe
Using your side-by-side safely | WorkSafe
Managing work site traffic – Good practice guidelines | WorkSafe