Caution issued to New Zealand dairy industry following fatal incident in milking shed

Caution Issued to New Zealand Dairy Industry Following Fatal Incident in Milking Shed

WorkSafe New Zealand is urging the dairy industry to reconsider its use of slide pulsators, following a recent fatal incident in a Waikato milking shed.

A worker sustained fatal injuries after his clothes got caught in the rotating bar of a slide pulsator. The incident happened on July 27 in Morrinsville.

What Happened in the Milking Shed

WorkSafe has indicated that investigators are in the initial stages of examining the circumstances, yet they possess enough information to advise caution at this time. This warning follows growing concern over equipment safety on farms across New Zealand.

WorkSafe's Response and Safety Guidance

"We are extremely concerned about the risk posed by exposed moving parts on slide pulsators, and urge farmers to check their set-up is safe or bring a specialist in for advice," WorkSafe's investigation manager, Paul West, said.

"The risk of clothing entanglement is real, and steps need to be taken to manage that risk. Any rotating shafts that can catch clothing or body parts need as much protective guarding as possible, or to be replaced."

Managing Machinery Risks in Milking Sheds

Exposed moving parts remain a persistent hazard in milking sheds, and operators should treat this news as a prompt to review equipment across their entire operation. Health and safety obligations extend beyond dairy cows to the wellbeing of workers handling machinery daily.

Farm owners can strengthen workplace safety by:

• Inspecting slide pulsators and other rotating equipment for exposed shafts or unguarded moving parts
• Engaging a qualified specialist to assess machinery safety across milking sheds
• Replacing or upgrading equipment where adequate guarding cannot be achieved
• Reviewing site-specific health and safety documentation regularly

Businesses seeking practical health and safety resources tailored to New Zealand workplace requirements can access guidance designed to support compliance across rural operations. Additional support resources are also available through WorkSafe's official channels.

Similar Incidents Across New Zealand Workplaces

This tragedy adds to a troubling pattern of fatal workplace incidents reported across New Zealand industries. Readers may also find our coverage of a fatal conveyor belt incident relevant, alongside our report on a runaway trailer incident and a separate case involving a forestry company fined over $500k after a fatal workplace incident.

For further guidance on workplace obligations, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or explore tailored solutions such as our Hospitality HSWA and Office/Administration HSWA packages, built to help organisations strengthen safety practices nationwide.

Find further information here.