WorkSafe Drives Horticulture Safety Improvements

Horticulture is a priority sector for WorkSafe because of its contribution to serious workplace incidents and injuries each year. Many of these involve vehicles, inadequate machine guarding, and exposure to hazardous substances. WorkSafe assessments play a key role in helping the industry improve practices and reduce harm.

Between July and September 2025, WorkSafe inspectors assessed 659 horticulture businesses across the country, including rural contractors. The focus was on high-risk activities such as working around vehicles, machinery, and chemicals.

Key findings

• Significant gaps were found in machine guarding and chemical management.
• 69% of businesses received guidance and practical support to strengthen their safety practices, and inspectors worked closely with others to help them identify and address hazards before someone gets hurt.

WorkSafe's project lead, Carl Baker, says the scale of the assessments gave WorkSafe a clear picture of sector risks.

"This was our most substantial focus on the horticulture sector in recent times. The industry, especially key sector groups, has been really willing to work with us. Ultimately, it's about the sector working together, with WorkSafe's influence to reduce harm."

However, he says while there's been some improvement in attitudes toward health and safety, more needs to change.

"I've been doing this for more than a decade, and I've attended scenes where people have sustained life-changing injuries because of insufficient machine guarding. It's horrific for those injured, it's horrific for their families, and it's also horrific for businesses.

"Part of the problem is a lack of awareness. People use unguarded machinery without issue, until one day there's an incident. And that one day affects you for the rest of your life. It's just not worth the risk."

Another area of concern was chemical management. Some assessments couldn't be completed because paperwork was missing, leaving inspectors unable to verify risks.

"Up to 1,100 people die annually from diseases linked to work-related health, from things like chemical exposure earlier in their career," Carl Baker says. "Safety data sheets and inventories are vital; they tell you how to manage chemicals and help emergency services respond. Without them, we don't know the risks."

He stresses the assessments aren't about fault-finding but sharing knowledge.

"WorkSafe has tools like the hazardous substances calculator to help businesses meet compliance, for example identifying incompatible chemicals, signage, and fire extinguisher requirements."

Carl Baker says cooperation from organisations like Horticulture New Zealand was an important part of the success of the assessments.

Its Chief Executive Kate Scott says worker safety is paramount.

"Any injury is one too many. The findings show where guidance and practical tools can make a real difference. We're using data to identify risks and develop industry-specific training and solutions."

Kate Scott says the sector is already working hard to improve health and safety, with Horticulture New Zealand and product groups providing targeted guidance and support to growers.

"We're aiming to reduce harm by better understanding the causes of injury and putting practical, workable solutions in place. That includes using data to identify risks such as sprains, cuts, machinery, weather exposure and hazardous substances, then developing training and tools to address them."