Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand
21 February 2007
MEDIA RELEASE
For further information contact:
Bill Sommer Tel: 04 560 9411
or 027 546 8216
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Safety boost for top dressing industry
Cooperative effort from government and industry bodies has resulted in a new Safety Guideline for farmers and agricultural aviation operators.
The guideline covers all aspects of aerial top dressing, from manufacture and transport to storage and fertiliser spreading. It was published this month following three years of joint effort between the New Zealand Agricultural Aviation Association, top dressing operators, fertiliser manufacturers and suppliers, The New Zealand Agricultural Health and Safety Council, Federated Farmers, the Department of Labour, and the Civil Aviation Authority.
Each participant has worked beyond its required brief to achieve this important goal, which has the full support of the industries and regulators alike.
The Safety Guideline for Farm Airstrips and Associated Fertiliser Cartage, Storage and Application is now the key information source for everyone involved in top dressing, from the fertiliser manufacturer through to the farmer.
Director of Civil Aviation Russell Kilvington said it was the cross-discipline nature of this Guideline that made it so special.
None of the agencies involved had jurisdiction over the whole gambit of an agricultural operation, which impacts on fertiliser suppliers, farmers private land, airstrip maintenance, aircraft operators and maintainers, and pilots, Mr Kilvington said.
The Guideline has been developed under the auspices of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992. Although not mandatory, Best Practice Guidelines under the HSE Act are powerful instruments which bring together a set of agreed minimum standards to help industries achieve safer levels of performance.
The Guideline was triggered by a Coronial recommendation stemming from a top dressing accident in 2001, in which a pilot was killed after being unable to jettison a load of damp fertiliser, whilst negotiating a tight valley.
Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven said following the new Guideline was sure to help prevent such tragic accidents and to save lives in the future.
President of Federated Farmers of New Zealand Inc Charlie Pedersen said the guideline would help ensure the safety of those involved in an industry that was essential to the future of farming in New Zealand.
Agencies involved
Federated Farmers of New Zealand Inc.
The New Zealand Agricultural Health and Safety Council
New Zealand Agricultural Aviation Association (NZAAA)
Rural Women
Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAA)
Department of Labour
Northern Lime Millers Association
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Read the Guideline
http://www.caa.govt.nz/HSE-CAA/Farm_Airstrip_Guideline.pdf
For further information contact:
CAA Manager Communications:
Bill Sommer
Direct: 04 560 9411 or 027 546 8216
Chairman of the New Zealand Agricultural Health and Safety Council:
Charlie Pedersen
Tel: 0274 463 480
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