ACC and Health & Saftey
Farms contain multiple hazards and higher than average risks of workplace accidents. Federated Farmers recognises the significant financial and social implications injuries and fatalities have on farmers and their families. The Federation therefore undertakes an active injury prevention role, working alongside ACC, the Department of Labour and other agencies concerned with rural health and safety. The Federation is an active participant and supporter of the Agricultural Health and Safety Council and the FarmSafe programme.
While agreeing some regulation is necessary, Federated Farmers believes regulation should be kept at a reasonable level and should not be considered until other options are exhausted. Too often, regulation is imposed as a knee-jerk reaction, without properly considering the implications. As a result, regulation that does not recognise the reality of farming operations
runs the risk of failure. Education and information is preferable to regulation for encouraging
improvements in farm safety.
For some years, Federated Farmers has been concerned about increases in ACC levies and compliance costs. Compliance costs surveys consistently identify ACC as one of farmers' biggest concerns, as well as for businesses generally. Farmers' ACC levies are relatively high compared to more sedentary occupations.
The ACC scheme's costs increased strongly in the 2000s and when the economy slowed after 2008, a massive liability was exposed which threatened large levy increases. In 2008 Federated Farmers urged the incoming Government to reverse previous expansions of the scheme and urged it to encourage ACC to focus on containing its costs. We also supported
initiatives such as experience rating to reward businesses with good safety records.
While supporting recent changes to ACC and pleased to see progress in ACC's financial position, Federated Farmers supports further reforms. For example, we support the reintroduction of competition into the ACC Work Account. We also believe more work needs to be done to ensure ACC motor vehicle levies better reflect risk factors and to reduce cross subsidisation.
Advice and information
Federated Farmers has a range of member fact sheets for employers on ACC levies and cover.
The spokesman on ACC is David Rose, you can contact him on 03 235 2619, 027 414 2573 or email drose@fedfarm.org.nz
The policy advisor for ACC is Matt Scott. You can contact himby calling 0800 327 646 or by clicking here.
