Rural Contractors NZ
The summer campaign against fatigue run by Rural Contractors NZ is being refreshed in time for those working on the autumn maize crop.
RCNZ CEO Andrew Olsen says there’s been great feedback on the campaign which was fronted by veteran rural contractor Steve Murray. He says the campaign was only able to have the reach it achieved because of the videos which were produced with the support of Power Farming.
“There are other organisations promoting health and safety with financial backing from Government agencies, but nobody has tackled fatigue like we have.”
The decision to re-run the campaign for the maize season came from RCNZ Board member Julie Clark.
“I made all of my staff watch the videos before Christmas as part of a Toolbox meeting and then we talked about the risks,” she says. “This made it more personal.”
She acknowledges that employers can only do so much to encourage their workers to avoid fatigue risks. “You can’t control what they do as they go out the gate.”
However, she says it is important to reinforce messaging, particularly to younger staff to ensure they are eating properly and drinking enough fluids. Julie Clark said maize cropping started in early February in her home region of south Waikato and would continue through March/April.
Andrew Olsen says his members take their health and safety responsibilities very seriously and the campaign includes a video aimed at them.
"They’ve faced the usual summer weather challenges and crop deadlines, and these now continue with the maize harvest. The message is not to put themselves and their staff under too much pressure.”
Building in breaks is a key to avoid anyone getting fatigued which can have terrible consequences. A second video is aimed at employees reminding them of their responsibilities including being in a fit state when arriving at work and looking out for other workers. The third video gives tips on avoiding fatigue including eating good food, drinking lots of fluids and taking breaks.
The videos are supported by more detailed material on the RCNZ website – ruralcontractors.org.nz
