Healthy Homes on farm
and why having healthy homes for sharefarmers and their staff is a big deal.
As we barrel toward winter and farm changeover, we are at the critical point where all farmers who house staff and sharefarmers need to consider the condition of their housing. Driving around the district, it is not hard to see from the road that many houses do not meet healthy homes standards. While there was a period of leniency towards landlords (and as an employer, you are considered a landlord whether you own the house or not), that period is swiftly coming to an end.
It is also often forgotten that the sharefarmer becomes a landlord when they employ staff. If the house doesn’t meet healthy homes standards, they/you as a sharefarmer will be in the firing line (and this has been happening). This becomes an especially long and costly process for all parties so it is essential that homes are bought up to spec this coming season.
Last season I worked with many sharefarmers who had kids with serious health problems who were needing specialist care due to the housing conditions they were in. It is not a myth. It is a real issue in our industry.
Why is it important?
A cold, damp house is only going to make life more difficult for your sharefarmer and/or employees, especially if they have kids. Respiratory issues and ear infections love a damp or cold house. A sharefarmer/employee who has had to spend the night in A&E with their kids (or for themselves) seeking out antibiotics or other assistance going to be quite resentful of the housing conditions they are putting up with, they are going to be operating with more fatigue, making more mistakes and be a walking hazard on farm when it comes to machinery. With calving being so early locally, it is still in peak cold and flu season. Sharefarmers/employees are already under enough pressure not to make mistakes without being seriously unwell or dealing with very sick kids too.
What do you need to do to make the home healthy?
Identify any leaks that could be causing dampness – this is often overlooked but if there are patches of mould behind beds, on curtains, or the air feels damp on a winters day, there could be a leak or too much condensation.
Ensure your insulation at least meets the healthy homes standards
Windows must not be drafty – if the curtains move when they are closed due to the draught coming in behind them, warm air will be escaping and cold (damp) air entering.
Extraction fans that go to the outside (not just to the roof cavity) are a requirement for the kitchen and all bathrooms.
There is a good heating source. If this heating source only heats the living area of the house, consider installing a heat pump in the bedroom end of the house or a ducting system that transfer heat from fireplaces. Cold rooms are often damp rooms.
The time for “I can’t afford it” and “have you seen the milk price” excuses has come to an end. I have been party to many a conversation where the farm owner in one breath has been discussing their most recent investment in their beach house while denying their sharemilker and their children heating or insulation for their very run-down farm cottage. If you are going to turn your sharefarmer down, I would recommend not mentioning the beach house for some months.
