The latest farm safety campaign has been launched that’s aiming to make some inroads to improving farm safety statistics over the coming years through raising awareness and a collaborative effort with the wider industry to get as many as possible more engaged with the goal.

I love the idea of an industry driven carrot instead of the stick approach that hasn’t been overly successful other than creating a culture of fear of large fines from non-compliance or in the aftermath of an accident.

Over the last decade or so we’ve not seen a dramatic improvement in injury statistics despite the emphasis on high vis clothing and limiting how things can be done.

Motorbike helmets have shifted some away from ATVs into Side by Sides and many farms with speed restrictions barely much faster than walking!

Downsides being that many remove the doors and nets, don’t use the seat belts and in the case of two wheelers the common farm helmets don’t offer much protection even if fitted properly.

Is that a path to safer farming? It suggests people are more than likely wearing out of obligation instead of a conscious desire to operate safer.

Helmets, while I’d admit I’m quite casual with wearing mine around the farm, it is hard experience that makes me probably more sensitive to poorly fitted ones when I see them.

As a young lad I had a bad concussion after coming off a motorbike at high speed while trail riding, so ever since have worn the best helmet available when racing or riding for fun and my farm one is also well above standard.

Why I suggest we need to adopt more of an action sports mindset towards safety is what has helped me have the tools to stay safe over the years while working.

Having enjoyed many years racing motocross and trail riding, it has equipped my mind to sub consciously enter a more highly aware state, many accidents are a result of a sequence of factors like stress, fatigue, distraction or even a lack of technical capability.

The transferable skills from a risky sport like motocross comes in useful is when those risk factors are adding up, the mind is processing those factors front of mind, so I begin telling myself it’s time to slow down or take a moment to stop and revaluate how I’m operating.

A while ago I was watching an interview with action sports icon Travis Pastrana, who was asked how he has been able to achieve great things over his life while many that perceive him as being completely crazy.

He answered by saying nothing he does is out of disregard for safety or consideration of the consequences, he considered those that think that of him to be the crazy ones that he could have progressed and succeeded like he has without safety being at the centre of what he does.

My view is that as an industry we could choose the path of considering ourselves and the dynamic environments we work in, to be much like action sports athletes looking to progress and push ourselves to be better and safer. Another good example is when you see someone on the internet popping a wheelie or doing a skid, instead of thinking (or commenting!) that person is being reckless or irresponsible, they could be on a much higher level than where you are capability wise because they practice their competency.

It also helps with mental health, which is a key part of health and safety.

by Duncan Humm, NZ Farming