Hazards

All contractors and visitors to the farm must either sign in and out using the link above, or at the dairy shed on the paper form, or by text to Ollie on 021 029 10817 when arriving and leaving. The exception is if your vehicle fleet is tracked by GPS and you are visiting regularly - i.e. Fonterra.

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

• 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 - particularly around the blind tanker loop, 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. 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. Refer to Safety Data Sheets for first aid.

  • 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 Sharlands Rd and Mitchells Rd.

• Traffic on these roads 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. Keep loaders low to prevent contact with power wires.

• 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.

• 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. Browse the Orion 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. Learn the location of hydrants in the paddocks.

• 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 irrigators or rotor rainers.

• Rotor Rainer - 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. Keep Rotor Rainer clear of power lines and roads. High Risk.

• Overground pipework - particularly drag hose for effluent irrigator and k-line hoses. 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.

• 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.

• Fire arms - high shooting risk. Follow seven rules of firearm safety. Only licensed shooters to operate firearms and trained operators to use bolt gun.

• 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.

• 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.