About Tahi Ngātahi

• Federated Farmers, the New Zealand Shearing Contractors Association and government agencies have joined forces to implement a programme to improve safety and performance in the country’s woolsheds. The initiative, Tahi Ngātahi, is supported by ACC and Worksafe.
• Tahi Ngātahi means ‘one, together’ and describes the industry-driven partnership between farmers, shearing contractors and government to prevent injuries in the wool growing and harvesting industry.
• It is an industry-lead collaboration which is “for industry by industry” and involves all in the wool growing and harvesting industry to improve work practices.
• Tahi Ngātahi has developed an online programme for the industry with training, resources and tools to help farmers, shearers and their staff ensure they are using best practice to prevent injuries in the workplace and the part everyone plays in achieving this.
• It includes over 30 videos featuring industry people explaining what’s worked for them to make a safe environment, and covers topics for shearers, farmers, wool handlers, pressers and those penning up the sheep. See the programme here
• The programme assists farmers to meet compliance requirements for training staff and the management of overlapping responsibilities under Health & Safety legislation.
• Completing the programme will be useful for job seekers and employers in the industry, and will assist with staff retention and improving quality of the supply chain
• Improving health and safety standards provides benefits for everyone in the wool growing and harvesting industry – farmers, shearers, employers and workers – because it will mean improved practices and production for all.
• This tool clearly identifies where responsibilities lie in the woolshed with regard to health and safety, resolving confusion which can arise between farmers and contractors
• To assist with covering costs there is a charge to shearing contractors and a small charge for farmers. It’s free to shed staff who are registered with an employer.
• The programme www.tahingatahi.org.nz was first introduced to farmers and shearers at regional meetings in September and is being officially launched at the New Zealand Agricultural Show on November 15.

Farmers

• Can complete their woolshed Warrant of Fitness online and share this with their shearing contractor, keep records of their certified workers and know that their workers are certified to keep themselves and animals safe in the working woolshed.

Shearing contractors

• Can show farmer employers they are Tahi Ngātahi certified, can keep a record of staff who have their Tahi Ngātahi certificate, and ensure staff are up to date with health and safety requirements.

Woolshed workers

• Can show employers they are certified on health and safety requirements.

Q & A

What is Tahi Ngātahi?
It is a partnership between Federated Farmers and the New Zealand Shearing Contractors Association, supported by ACC and Worksafe, which aims to reduce injuries and harm to those working in the shearing industry and the animals being shorn.

Who does this involve?
All those who work in the wool growing and harvesting industry. This includes farmers, shearing contactors and their staff. It also includes those from overseas who work in our wool industry and New Zealand residents who work overseas.

What does it involve?
Tahi Ngātahi has developed an interactive multimedia training programme or employers and employees in the wool growing and harvesting industry.  Farmers, shearers and their staff can access the digital warrant of fitness and other resources to update and improve their approach to safety in and around the woolshed.  

Why is it necessary?
Most injuries occurring in and around the woolshed are preventable, including common injuries like sprains, strains and wound injuries. Some of these incidents could be prevented by for example, having better maintained equipment, better prepared sheep, or by everyone taking time to rest and maintain their body for the physical work they do.  

The industry is keen to reduce common injuries by sharing how they can be prevented.

How many injuries are occurring in the woolshed in an average year?
In 2017 there were 755 work-related injuries in wool harvesting, resulting in 9,300 working days lost to the industry and 4700 work-related injuries in wool growing (farming) resulting in 35,000 days lost to the industry (ACC weekly compensation data).  

How is it funded?
ACC has provided $1 million of funding over three years for the development of the programme.

What do those who complete the training receive?
Farmers can complete their WorkSafe endorsed Woolshed Warrant of Fitness (also on WorkSafe website) and share this with their shearing contractor.

Shearers and their staff get a Tahi Ngātahi certificate they can share with their employer to show they have completed the programme and are up to speed with health and safety practices in the woolshed.

Why should farmers, shearers and their staff complete the programme?
Farmers can learn from their peers how to improve business work practices, complete their woolshed Warrant of Fitness online and share this with their shearing contractor. They can also keep records of their certified workers and ensure their staff are trained how to keep themselves and animals safe in the working woolshed.

Shearing contractors can show farmer employers they are Tahi Ngātahi certified, can keep a record of staff who have their Tahi Ngātahi certificate, and can ensure their staff are up to date with health and safety requirements.

Staff will learn know how to prevent injuries to themselves and others and can share their Tahi Ngātahi certificate with their employer and future employees.  

How does it work?
Farmers, shearing contractors and their staff go to www.tahingatahi.co.nz and sign in to begin the modules which cover all aspects of working in the woolshed. There are more than 30 videos covering safety topics for all wool industry workers and farmers involved in wool growing and harvesting. The site will be live early in September.

How long does it take to complete the modules?
The programme is designed to be moved through simply and quickly. Completing the modules will take 1.5 to 2 hours, and can be done at your own pace any time. We encourage farmers, shearers and their staff to complete it before their next shearing season.

Is there specific content for the different roles involved in the woolshed? Do shearers complete different modules to farmers and shed staff, for example?
The content covers all the jobs in and around the wool shed so everyone completes the same programme.  Tahi Ngātahi means one, together and we believe we can prevent injuries by helping the whole team understand each other’s roles in and around the wool shed and how they everyone has a part in making a safe work place together.