ATS Newsbrief March 2014
Are you aware of and prepared for the changes coming as a result of the Health and Safety Reform Bill? The Bill is part of the Government’s Working Safer initiative aimed at reducing our workplace injury and death toll by 25 per cent by 2020, and was originally planned to become law in April. Neal Shaw, Group CEO This has been pushed back while a new select committee takes a look at the Bill before reporting back to parliament at the end of March. It is likely it will come into effect later this year. When the new Health and Safety at Work Act comes into force, it will replace the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 and the Machinery Act 1950. The Bill proposes the new concept of PCBU—a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking, with PCBU’s having the primary duty to ensure health and safety under the new law. Generally this will apply to businesses and companies rather than individuals and will have a much broader application within a workplace. Company directors and those at governance level within an organisation will also have greater accountability under the proposed Bill, and will have to demonstrate their commitment to this important aspect of their business.
The Bill also aims to ensure workers take some personal responsibility when on a job, for their own safety. The new legislation makes provision for all involved, from a governance level to workers on a work site, having to take some responsibility for ensuring health and safety standards are met. The new health and safety law is based on Australian legislation which has seen a 16 per cent reduction in work related deaths over the last couple of years. In New Zealand around 75 people died on the job every year and the Working Safer initiative is aimed at matching, and hopefully, bettering Australia’s improved record. It is up to all of us to make sure we know what our duties and requirements are under the proposed new legislation to ensure we are compliant, and more importantly, safe in our workplaces. To find out more about how the new legislation will affect you, go to WorkSafe NZ and the Health and Safety Reform Bill http:// www.business.govt.nz/worksafe. Alternatively you can contact Ruralco Supplier, Unique Solutions or register for one of ATS’s Farm Safety Training sessions by visiting www.ats.co.nz/farmsafety.
See you at the South Island Agricultural Field Days ATS will be one of more than 450 exhibitors at this year’s South Island Agricultural Field Days (SIAFD) being held at the organisation’s new Kirwee location. The 40 hectare site allows for a greater number of both exhibitors and visitors and replaces the previously leased site at Lincoln, where it has been based for the past 32 years. This year’s Field Days will run from March 25 to March 27 at the new Courtney Road site
and organisers are expecting the usual crowd of 25,000 over the three day event to be even bigger this year. The Field Days is one of the South Islands oldest and largest agricultural events with a history spanning 64 years, and is a great opportunity to see the best of agricultural equipment, technology and expertise all in one place. ATS, together with key suppliers will be at sites 429 and 430 with some great field days specials. So make a point of dropping in to see us for a cup of tea and a catch up. We look forward to seeing you there.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Farm Safety Training for Members 17 March 21 April 19 May
For more information or to RSVP, call 0800 BUY ATS (289 287) or go to www.ats.co.nz/farmsafety
09 March
Nutrient Management Roadshow—Ashburton Register now at www.dwn.co.nz or phone 07 974 4850.
14 March
Mayfield A&P Show
21 March
Methven A&P Show
25–27 March
South Island Agriculture Field Days Join ATS and key Suppliers at sites 429 & 430 for a cup of tea and a catch up. We look forward to seeing you there.
5 April
Daylight Saving ends
STORE HOURS
Ashburton Monday–Friday, 8am–5.30pm Saturday, 9am–12pm
Methven Monday–Friday, 8am–5.30pm
Rakaia Monday–Friday, 8am–5.30pm If you have any urgent requirements during closed hours and public holidays, the duty manager can be reached on 03 307 5100 or 027 487 6865.