Hazards
All contractors and visitors to the farm must either sign in and out using the button above, or at the dairy shed or by text message to Michael on 027 635 3086 when arriving and leaving. The exception is if your vehicle fleet is tracked by GPS and you are visiting regularly - i.e. Fonterra or other transport companies.
Contractor's health and safety documents can be forwarded to michael.j.win@gmail.com.
Please read all General Hazards below and the Hazard Map then read the hazards for the relevant work areas below before you commence work.
Click here for Workshop Hazards
Click here for Dairy Shed Hazards
If you are going to be using Home Farm 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. 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 not used to inform disciplinary procedures unless malice is involved. Please also report any changed or new hazards you may notice. You can do so anonymously by clicking here if you prefer. We are open to all suggestions how to make the farm safer.
General Hazards
NOTE: Temporary Hazard - Bulls. Maintain escape routes and always keep an eye on the bulls when working with them.
Steep and sometimes slippery slopes - including on cow lanes. High risk of slides and collision. If the cow lanes are slippery use a quad bike or tractor rather than ute or two wheeler if attempting a slope. Avoid no-go areas.
Fire - high risk in vegetation, buildings. Note location of diesel and petrol tanks, fire extinguishers and first aid kits.
Heavy machinery operating - particularly trucks and tractors. High risk of collision. Keep left on lanes. Use rotating beacon if fitted.
Milk tankers at any time of day or night. High risk of collision. Keep left and use rotating beacon if fitted.
Other workers at all times. Their actions may put you at high risk in many ways and vice versa. Communicate. Maintain low speeds, keep an eye out and expect other people to be around.
Manual Handling - medium risk of lifting injury. Use two people to lift weights over 25kg, except for calves which are safer to handle on your own due to awkward shape.
Blind corners and rises. High risk. Keep left, keep to speed limit.
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.
Chemical hazard - high explosive, fire, corrosive and toxic risks. Storage of hazardous substances in chemical shed, Plateau yard/workshop, dairy shed and petrol tank. SDS and inventory available by clicking here. The dairy shed and workshop are designated as Hazardous Areas where there must not be ignition sources within 6m due to the nature of chemicals stored there.
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.
Children may be present at any place on the farm and must never be alone. If children are found alone then alert the parents immediately. 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.
Public Roads - the farm borders Collingwood-Bainham Main Road which is a narrow and busy tourist road.
Traffic on this road presents a high collision risk. Follow road rules. Keep left and allow faster traffic past. Be aware of faster traffic catching up. Take care when pulling out with tractors as the front end loader protrudes in front.
Stock on public roads is a high collision risk. Double check that stock are locked away at night. When shifting stock on the road use the signs, rotating beacons and enough staff. Notify council.
Electrical hazards - high electrocution risk. Remain 4m clear of overhead wires. Ensure you have clearance before driving under any wires.
Enquire with management over location of underground cables before digging. Note: cables may be anywhere within the width of the trench they were laid in. Check with the lines company before excavating near lines.
Wash hoses - high pressure water can cause injury if you let go of the hose. Hold hoses tightly even if the wash pump is off in case someone turns it on. Never leave wash hoses lying around messily or on steps - lay tidily against a wall to reduce risk of trips and falls.
Travelling irrigator - high pressure liquids, rotating parts and finger jamming risk. Hydrants under high pressure. Avoid moving parts and don't unlatch hydrants under pressure. Medium risk.
Overground pipework - particularly drag hose for effluent irrigator. High risk of falling off two wheelers. Ride slowly and keep an eye out.
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 management to be fixed.
Waterways - various fenced and unfenced ponds and streams with soft bottoms present a high drowning risk, as does the Aorere River. 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. 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.
Composting pile - dead animals may harbour pathogens. Remain in tractor cabin when burying cows. Hose down bucket when finished. Don't dig into compost manually without PPE. Low risk of disease such as legionnaires.
Fire arms - high shooting risk. Follow seven rules of firearm safety. Only licensed shooters to operate firearms and trained operators to use bolt gun. Michael to be notified of all hunting activity to prevent different parties hunting in the same areas.
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 and keep hydrated. High risk.
Bale stacks - may be unstable and fall. Don't climb. Don't work near them unnecessarily.
Hay barn - Particularly a risk for children climbing up and falling between.
Silos - high risk of suffocation and falls. Do not enter full silo. Only enter silos if someone is outside. Never climb silos without climbing harness, heights training and a buddy system.
Auger - high risk of entanglement. Keep limbs clear when in use. Turn tractor off if you need to put limbs inside - for example if it needs unblocked. Don't wear loose clothing.
Stock Crossing - always have at least one spotter to slow traffic and guide stock across.