Opihi Rd

All contractors and visitors to the farm must either sign in and out using the link above or by phone/txt to the manager on arriving and leaving. The exception is if your vehicle fleet is tracked by GPS.

Please read all General Hazards and the Hazard Map as relevant to your work on the farm below. 

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.

• The Hard Hose gun is a high risk of tipping over when shifting between terraces. Keep speed low and drain as much water as practical before shifting.

• 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.

• 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.

• Blind corners and rises. High risk due to steep drop off. Keep left, keep speed low and be aware of loss of control on gravel.

• Noise hazards - medium risk of hearing loss. Chainsaws, lawn mowers, power tools, tractors without cabs (or working next to a tractor) and other equipment exceed the safe level of noise. Hearing protection must be worn if using any loud equipment.

• Chemical hazard - refer to Safety Data Sheets for toxicity, first aid, and treatment information for each hazardous substance on the chemical inventory.

• Animals. Particularly hazardous when handling in deer shed and yards - high crushing and kicking risk. When working in the yards be aware of slippery and boggy surfaces. Follow Worksafe guidance on deer handling and the National Velveting Standard. 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. 

  • Recognise the signs of stressed deer.

  • Don't enter a pen with deer when alone or with an animal with antlers.

  • Don't overcrowd pens.

  • The crush is used to safely handle deer.

  • All deer are individually known and managed accordingly. Communicate with the farm manager about which animals are more easily agitated.

  • No dogs are allowed on farm.

  • Muster firmly but quietly and controlled in the paddock.

  • Leptospirosis is high risk because there is no lepto program for deer. Minimise exposure to urine and use good hygiene practices, especially before eating.

• 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, particularly around deer.

• 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 Opihi Rd.

• Opihi Rd has high speed traffic.

• 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 all times. Keep them 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.

• Uneven, rough or soft and boggy ground, particularly wallow holes and ruts. 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 - as they continuously form. 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.

• Fire arms - high shooting risk. Follow seven rules of firearm safety. Only licensed shooters with land owner permission to operate firearms or hunt. 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.

• Never get inside silos.