Hazards

All contractors and visitors to the farm must sign in using the button above, or by phone call or text message to Dene or Carolyn when arriving and leaving. Please leave a message on the answer phone if there is no answer - 03 4395 762. 

The exception is if your vehicle fleet is tracked by GPS and you are visiting regularly - i.e. transport companies.

Contractor's health and safety documents can be forwarded to .

Please read all General Hazards below and the Hazard Map then read the hazards for the relevant work areas below before you commence work.  

If you are going to be using our machinery please read about the Vehicle and Machinery Hazards and ensure you receive the appropriate training.

All hazards are subject to change and where possible those changes will be updated on this site and existing contractors notified. However, care must be taken at all times as this is not an exhaustive list. Expect the unexpected and report any incidents or accidents either in person, or using the form on this site. We will investigate incidents in order to find ways to prevent them happening again. The policies you read here are often the results of previous accidents and incidents including some on this farm. To encourage full and open reporting we operate a 'just culture' where investigations don't result in repercussions unless malice is involved. Please also report any changed or new hazards you may notice. We are open to all suggestions how to make the farm safer.

General Hazards

• Steep and sometimes slippery slopes - see map. High risk of slides and collision. Use the appropriate vehicle for the conditions. Avoid no-go areas as shown on the map.

• Irrigation and rainfall will increase risk of loss of control. 

• Fire - high risk in vegetation and buildings. Note location of diesel and petrol tanks including at the base of the centre pivot. Note location of fire extinguishers and first aid kits. High pressure water is available from irrigation hydrants during irrigation season and two water tanks are located at the top of the hill.

• Heavy machinery operating - particularly trucks and tractors. Caution blind spots. Tractors are a major cause of incidents. Only trained or experienced staff to operate machinery.

• Manual Handling - medium risk of lifting injury. Use two people to lift weights over 25kg, except for calves. 

• Noise hazards - medium risk of hearing loss. Chainsaws, lawn mowers, power tools, tractors without cabs and other equipment exceed the safe level of noise. Hearing protection must be worn if using any loud equipment. Remove, isolate or avoid the source of the noise where possible.

• Chemical hazard - high explosive, fire, corrosive and toxic risks. Storage of hazardous substances is in secure IBC. Refer to Safety Data Sheets and Inventory.

  • Store chemicals in original containers with warning labels showing.

  • Avoid contact with chemicals - particularly hormone treatments, anthelmintics and herbicides when pregnant.

  • Use PPE: nitrile gloves, mask, safety glasses, cotton overalls and gumboots.

• Animals. Particularly hazardous when handling in cattle yards - high crushing and kicking risk. When working in the yards be aware of slippery and boggy surfaces.  Follow Worksafe guidance. Be firm but quiet when working with animals, have an escape route, keep clear of kicking range and expect them to turn on you at any time. Bulls are high risk, heifers are medium risk.

• Children may be present at any place on the farm and must never be alone. If children are found alone then pick them up. High risk.

• Tractor wheels - store laying flat on a pallet or timber to keep it off the ground but unable to fall on children.

• Any heavy objects that may fall on people need to be secured - post drivers, workshop shelves, mole ploughs etc.

• Traffic on McLeans Road and Woodburn Road. High collision risk. Follow road rules. Keep left and allow faster traffic past. Be aware of faster traffic catching up. There are blind spots on both roads. Use care when pulling out with tractors as the front end loader protrudes in front.

• Stock on McLeans Road and Woodburn Road. High collision risk. Double check that stock are locked away at night. Use stock signs, rotating beacon and sufficient staff when shifting stock on the road. Notify council.

• Ensure stock are well fed, watered and have good fence power to reduce risk of breakouts.

• Electrical hazards - high electrocution risk. Remain 4m clear of overhead wires and enquire with farm owners over location of underground cables before digging. Note: cables may be anywhere within the width of the trench they are laid in. Browse the Network Waitaki site for public cable location and more safety info.

• High pressure water - medium injury risk. All irrigation infrastructure is high pressure, is often buried and often associated with electrical hazards and made of conductive materials. Always isolate electricity and pressure before working on infrastructure.

• Water blaster - electrocution risk. High pressure water hazard. Keep water away from electric pump and don't hose anyone with it.

• Automated irrigation systems which may start at any time. Low risk. Don't park anything on pivot tracks or in the way of the travelling irrigator. Pivot may be parked across laneway.

• Pinch points and snag risk - particularly with fertiliser spreader, feed out equipment, mower and on pivot drive shafts. Keep clear of all of the pinch points unless the machine is off (engine off, not just PTO). Don't wear loose clothing. 

• Woolpress - crushing hazard. To be maintained and used by trained operators only.

• Travelling irrigator and hard hose gun - high pressure liquids, rotating parts and finger jamming risk. Hydrants under high pressure. Avoid moving parts and don't use the hydrants unless trained. Maintain the hydrant markers so they don't get run over accidentally. High risk.

• Overground pipework - particularly drag hose for travelling irrigator and feeders for sprinklers. High risk of falling off two wheelers. Ride slowly and keep an eye out.

• Cliffs edges and rock fall hazards. Take care in vicinity of cliffs and steep faces. Learn where in each paddock they are. Drive slowly. Don't spend time in rockfall areas unnecessarily - spend minimum time there. High risk.

• Uneven, rough or soft and boggy ground. High risk of losing control, collision or roll-over. These hazards can be anywhere and develop any time. Report any holes or bogs to farm owners. 

• Waterways - various unfenced ponds with soft bottoms present a drowning risk, as does the unnamed stream running parallel to Woodburn Road. Children under the age of eight are to be supervised directly by someone over the age of sixteen.

• Fire extinguishers - while these are a safety feature they are also highly pressurised gas cylinders. To be handled with care. These will be maintained every five years as per law. Ensure always charged. Medium risk.

• Water troughs - sometimes in the middle of a paddock. Learn the location of each trough. Medium risk. Drive slowly.

• Tape gates - on elastic cord which can cause wire hooks to dig into flesh or eyes if released dangerously. Release carefully. Use safer design for future handles. Low risk.

• Dead hole - pathogens and collapse risk. Stay clear unless performing necessary task such as disposing of animals.

• Fire arms - high shooting risk. Follow seven rules of firearm safety. Only licensed shooters to operate firearms.

• Electric Fences - low electrocution risk. Ensure visitors don't touch fences.

• Environmental hazards - weather; sun, rain, snow, visibility, wind, electrical storms. Wear appropriate clothing, use sun block. High risk.

• Bale stacks - may be unstable and fall. Don't climb. Don't work near them unnecessarily.

• Electric Fence unit - minor shock risk. Keep out of reach of children.

• Shearing Plant - keep unplugged when not in use.