Farmers told to take a ‘hmmm’ moment

For many farmers, the extra daylight hours over the summer months mean more time to get even more jobs done.

But the extra workload does not come without a cost.

According to ACC data, there’s a spike in injuries that occur on farms over the summer.

Last year, ACC received more than 23,000 claims for injuries on farms. The cost to help people recover was around $120 million.

The highest number of claims were in January, followed by March. 

ACC, together with Safer Farms, is encouraging farmers to stop and think before getting stuck in this summer – whether they’re working or just around the home.

ACC workplace injury prevention manager Paula Wood says during summer, people’s fatigue levels can increase due to the long days and warmer weather.

“It’s important farmers are aware of fatigue and implementing practical safety practices to avoid it,” she says.

“Research shows exhaustion, lack of sleep and being unable to take a break all add to the risks that a farmer or farm worker will have an accident.

“This is something we want farmers to keep in mind through the summer – ‘have a hmmm’ before moving on to the next job.

“When you’re tired and rundown it effects your decision-making, so take a break when you need it – you don’t have to fit a week’s worth of work into one day, know when to call it a day.”

Common causes of injuries are from lifting and carrying things and twisting, as well as falls. Around a third of all injury claims that occur on farms are caused by falls.