Hunter Dairies Hazards

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

Please read all General Hazards (below), Dairy Shed Hazards and the Hazard Map as relevant to your work. 

If you are going to be using farm machinery please read about the Vehicle and Machinery Hazards and ensure you receive the appropriate training, and if using tools and the workshop please read the Workshop Hazards. 

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. To encourage full and open reporting we operate a 'just culture' where investigations are 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 on this website if you prefer. We are open to all suggestions how to make the farm safer.

General Hazards

• Access routes are affected by flooding occasionally. Never drive through flood waters. Use alternative routes.

• 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 corners, 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. If injury occurs from a hazardous substance access the Safety Data Sheet for that chemical for first aid measures and to take to the doctor. 

• 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 has entrances off Back Line Rd and Stanleys Rd.

• Traffic on the 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. Ensure they are well fed and watered with good power on the fence.

• 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. Keep front end loaders low.

• 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 Alpine Energy site for public cable location and more safety info.

• High pressure water - medium injury risk. All irrigation infrastructure is high pressure and is often buried. Always release pressure before working on infrastructure.

• Overground pipework - hoses in long grass are a hazard for two wheelers if not crossed at right angles. Keep speeds down and anticipate where K-line pipes may be.

• 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. These are particularly hazardous in steep paddocks where a combination of steep terrain and uneven terrain creates more risk of roll overs.

• 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, particularly if it is foggy.

• Tape gates - on elastic cord which can cause wire hooks to dig into flesh or eyes if released dangerously. Release carefully. 

• Fire arms - high shooting risk. Follow seven rules of firearm safety. Only licensed shooters with land owner permission to operate firearms. Licenses are not required for captive bolts but only trained operators are to use them.

• 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, particularly if they have been stacked too high. Don't climb. Don't work near them unnecessarily.

• Silage pit sides present a fall hazard. Avoid walking too close to the sides of an empty silage pit.

• 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 or power supply off if you need to put limbs inside - for example if it needs unblocked. Don't wear loose clothing.