Agriculture
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Featured in agriculture
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![[image] Seabird flying at sunset](/assets/Tile/shutterstock_2673992981.jpg)
Avian influenza (bird flu)
Avian influenza (bird flu) may create health and safety risks for workers who come into contact with infected birds or animals, contaminated materials, or affected environments. Businesses must manage these risks.
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![[image] Agriculture - worker with sheep - card tile](/assets/element/cards/176610-truestock-000002.jpg)
Hidden hazard: farm safety drive exposes substances risk gap
A safety push across sheep, beef and dairy farms has revealed significant gaps in hazardous substances management – and clear, practical ways to fix them.
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Two new draft codes of practice in agriculture
We're developing two draft codes of practice in agriculture that will set out expectations under HSWA, helping businesses meet their obligations and reduce harm.
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New guidance for upcoming HSWA changes
The new guidance outlines the difference between critical risk and other risk, how businesses can determine whether they are considered small or large under the Act, and the duties that apply to each.
These changes come into force on 1 April 2027.
![[image] Inspector with worker referring to some WorkSafe guidance](/assets/Hero-and-abstract-imagery/Homepage-images/Large-promo-1300x1300-px/868311-inspector-with-worker-referring-to-some-worksafe-guidance-campaign.jpg)
About the agriculture sector
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25%
of all work-related fatalities and serious injuries happen in agriculture
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5%
of New Zealand workers are employed in agriculture
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16
deaths on average per year in agriculture
Agriculture accounts for around 25% of serious acute harm in Aotearoa New Zealand while having only 5% of employment.
There is persistent harm associated with farm vehicles, especially in dairy, beef, and sheep farming. There are also serious risks from working with vehicles and machinery, agrichemicals, and farm animals, in difficult and sometimes remote environments.
Download our agriculture sector plan:
Health and safety in agriculture
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Getting started in health and safety
Get a general introduction to health and safety at work.
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Managing health and safety: A guide for farmers
These guidelines help reduce the risk of injuries and fatalities by providing practical guidance on farm health and safety.
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How to manage work risks
The risks you need to identify, assess, and manage depend on the type of work you do.
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Keep safe, keep farming toolkit
How to be healthy and safe on farm to protect the productivity of your farm and the lifestyle you enjoy.
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Overlapping duties
Businesses that work together will likely share health and safety duties in relation to the same matter. These are known as overlapping duties.
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Visitors and events on farms
Farmers must ensure that work areas on the farm are safe, and don’t pose a risk to the health and safety of any person, including visitors.
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Children and young people on farms
Farms are environments where families work, live and play, and as a workplace, they raise unique challenges that other businesses may not even consider
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Contractors on farms
Advice and examples of how farmers and contractors can work together to keep everyone on farm healthy and safe.
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Worker engagement, participation and representation
All businesses and undertakings must involve their workers in workplace health and safety.
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Key risks in agriculture
Read our guidance and information about the key risks and topics related to agriculture.
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Vehicles on farms
Guidance for using vehicles on your farm, including quad bikes, tractors, and two-wheeled motorbikes.
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Chemicals and fuels on farms
Guidance for managing and safely storing chemicals and fuels on your farm.
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Electrical safety on farms
Advice on how to manage the hazards of power lines on farms.
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Tree work on farms
Guidance on health and safety when managing a harvest and on the safe harvesting of woodlot on farms.
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Working with animals
Information about working with animals, identifying common hazards, and appropriate controls.
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Notifying WorkSafe
You must notify WorkSafe:
- when serious injuries, illnesses or incidents occur
- for specific kinds of scheduled or completed work. For example, for certain excavations or using certain lifting appliances.
Apply for an authorisation, permit, or certification
Some kinds of agricultural work require you to get a licence, permit, certificate, or authorisation before carrying out an activity.
Common aspects of agricultural work that require licences or certification include:
- handling very hazardous substances (certified handlers)
- storing large quantities of fuel or chemicals.
Research and data
We produce data to assist businesses and organisations to manage work health and safety risks.
Agriculture data(external link)
Read our research reports that look into different aspects of workplace health and safety.