The farming industry is trying to cut down on injuries in and around the woolshed with a new online injury prevention programme.
In 2017 there were 755 work-related injuries in wool harvesting, resulting in 9300 working days lost to the industry, according to ACC weekly compensation data.
See the Health and Safety Performance Wool Growers Leaderboard 2017 (PDF272KB)
The same year there were 4700 work-related injuries in wool growing, resulting in 35,000 days lost to the industry.
In an effort to reduce woolshed injuries, Federated Farmers and the New Zealand Shearing Contractors Association have developed an online interactive video training programme called Tahi Ngātahi.
The programme went live this month, with $1 million of funding support from ACC over three years.
Tahi Ngātahi project manager Trish Ryan said most injuries occurring in and around the woolshed were 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," Ms Ryan said.
Reducing injuries would help lift the sector's performance and its productivity, she said.
The programme had more than 30 videos covering safety topics for all wool industry workers and farmers involved in wool growing and harvesting, Ms Ryan said.
