Rural safety programmes Agriculture ITO has formed a non Government subsidised company (ASL) to work with industry partners such as Federated Farmers, ACC, OSH, and polytechnics, institutes of Technology, and private training providers on two important safety training programmes: FarmSafe™: an injury prevention programme that aims to reduce injuries on New Zealand's farms GROWSAFE®: a programme that teaches people to work safely with agrichemicals. FarmSafe™ FarmSafe is a free injury prevention programme managed by Federated Farmers and ACC, in association with Agriculture ITO, Agriculture New Zealand and Telford Rural Polytechnic. Run on a local basis, FarmSafe helps farmers, farm employees and their families to reduce the number and severity of on-farm injuries. Participants gain by: reducing the risk of injury around their farms minimising the financial implications of workplace injuries for participants and their families earning credits towards NZQA qualifications in agriculture. The series of three programmes comprise: FarmSafe Awareness: a one-day (five-hour) workshop that aims to heighten awareness of injury prevention and help make farms safer places. It covers the causes of injuries and draws on participants' experiences to demonstrate examples supporting safer work practices FarmSafe Plans: a one-day follow-up workshop that address the skills and knowledge to prepare and action an effective Farm Safety Plan FarmSafe Skills: a series of workshops that focus on the practical skills of those who work on farms. The workshops cover tuition, practice and assessment in driving tractors, riding ATVs, using chainsaws, riding motorbikes and handling animals. For more information, visit www.farmsafe.co.nz, email enquiries@farmsafe.co.nz or phone 0800 545 747. GROWSAFE® The GROWSAFE training programme teaches people to use safe procedures when working with agrichemicals. It covers: the role of agrichemicals in managing pests and diseases the properties and actions of common agrichemicals the principles of agrichemical application the potential effects of agrichemicals the obligations of agrichemical users the obligations and impacts of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms regulations. The programme is based on New Zealand Standard 4098 - Management of Agrichemicals, which was developed in conjunction with the New Zealand Agrichemical Education Trust. Trainees can study for a range of certificates through both on-job and off-job training, with courses delivered by accredited trainers throughout New Zealand. For more information on GROWSAFE, visit www.growsafe.co.nz, email info@growsafe.co.nz or phone 04 472 9997. Back to main