Whitecliff Hazards

• People entering farm may be unaware of risks on farm. They are to contact Nathan on 027 292 4380 and review the Hazard Map.

• There are a lot of people on farm. Keep left at all times. The speed limit is 30kph.

• The farm entrance is also the driveway to residences where children live. Adhere to the speed limit.

• Heavy machinery operating - particularly trucks, tractor and milk tankers at any time of day or night. High risk of collision. Keep left on lanes. Use rotating beacon if fitted.

• Blind corners and rises. High risk. Keep left, keep to speed limit. 

• Cliffs present a risk of fall. These are shown on the Hazard Map so people are aware and are fenced.

• Always consider what your options are if you were to start sliding. Maintain a run-out when on slopes.

• Some paddocks have steep drops or ruts with no fence at the top - particular care is required in all paddocks at night or in other low visibility conditions. New holes can develop after rain.

• Ponds and wet areas present a loss of control risk. These are drained or planted out and staff are to communicate new wet areas. Refer to E1a - Water Risk Map.

• Uneven or rough terrain presents a risk of roll over or loss of control. Staff are to wear appropriate PPE for their vehicle and drive slowly.  These areas are to be cultivated and levelled to reduce the risk.

• Sloping terrain presents a roll over or slide risk. Paddocks are colour coded on their name tags.

  • Red for multiple hazards.

  • Orange for moderate hazards.

  • Green for relatively safe.

Use the appropriate vehicle for the paddock. Duals on tractor. 

Steep areas are fenced off and shown on the Hazard Map. Use the appropriate machinery. Contractors must ensure the adequately skilled workers are assigned to this farm.

• Use alternative routes if there is any possibility of loss of traction. Consider the consequences of a slide when assessing the risk. 

• Use two wheel motorbikes wherever possible as there is less risk if you fall off compared with other vehicles such as quads.

• Irrigation or rainfall increases the risk of losing traction, particularly where a leak or blowout has occurred. 

• Obstacles such as ruts, hydrants, rocks etc present a collision risk. All obstacles are marked with reflective road markers and rocks are picked up.

• Pivots can be across the lane which creates slippery conditions. Ensure your machine and attachments will fit underneath before attempting to get past.

• Effluent ponds present a drowing risk. They are deer fenced and also electric fenced. Children must be closely supervised when on farm.

• Waterways - various ponds, drains and waterways with soft bottoms present a high drowning risk, as does the Awamoko stream. Children under the age of eight are to be supervised directly by someone over the age of sixteen.

• Flooding occurs on occasionally. Stay out of flood waters unless it is more hazardous to remain in place. Human safety takes precedent over stock welfare so ensure stock are prepared on high ground ahead of time to prevent the motivation for people to enter flood waters. Use high roads to town if travel is necessary.

• Stock present injury risk (i.e. from kicking or charging), and a collision risk (i.e. if they get out on the road). Stock are checked at least daily and always have good water and feed. Fence power is tested. Only people in charge of stock are to deal with them.

• Power lines present an overhead electrocution risk for tall machinery such as augers, post drivers and front end loaders. Augers are known to tip on to power lines if towed too fast. If a post driver catches a wire try to keep driving until clear of the wires and then immediately call management and Network Waitaki to have the power turned off. If you are inside a vehicle that has contacted power wires - do not exit the vehicle. Contact with the ground may cause electrocution. If a power line has fallen on a fence stay clear of the fence and immediately tell everyone on farm to stay clear until Network Waitaki has disconnected power. See Hazard Map for overhead wire locations.

• Fire - high risk in vegetation, buildings. Note location of diesel and petrol tanks at the dairy shed, as well as fire extinguishers and first aid kits. High pressure water is available from irrigation offtakes during irrigation season and water tanks located at the dairy shed.

• 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.

• Lone worker risk - always carry a cell phone. If you are going out of reception make sure someone knows you are there and when you are expecting to return. Texts can transmit on lower reception than voice if reception is poor. Managers are responsible for ensuring all staff are home at the end of the day.

• Ladders - use other means if possible. Scaffolding, scissor lift, cherry picker, telehandler or front end loader with purpose built cage (don't lift people in buckets or in a cage that is not securely attached to forks). If a ladder must be used have someone hold it steady at the bottom.

• Heights - working above 1.5m without a hand rail requires heights training and equipment with a rescue plan. Don't work at heights alone. Workers hanging from a harness after a fall are at risk of death as circulation will likely be impeded so the rescue plan must be effected immediately. Ensure lifting cages are secured to the tractor/telehandler so they don't slide off. Park pivots on level ground for repairs at heights. 

• Confined spaces - inside vats and silos requires confined spaces training so staff are not to enter. When a suitably qualified contractor enters a confined space lock out power sources to augers, refrigeration and cleaning in place (CIP) and have a trained spotter outside - the spotter also risks incapacitation if they attempt to rescue the worker in the confined space so a rescue plan is needed depending on the exact scenario. 

• 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. 

• 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 at the shearing shed. SDS available by clicking here. 

  • 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. The yards have been altered to reduce these risks but they can't be eliminated. 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. Maintain escape routes and always keep an eye on the bulls when working with them.

• Children may be present at any place on the farm and must be directly supervised. Children under the age of twelve are not to be in the effluent compound, and are not to climb on or use farm equipment. If children are found alone then alert the parents immediately. High risk.

• Public Roads 

  • 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. 

  • Particular care is needed on Shines Rd which has a high accident rate.

  • 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.

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

• 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 - high 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 irrigators. 

• Overground pipework - particularly k-line hoses. High risk of falling off two wheelers. Ride slowly and keep an eye out.

• 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. Low risk.

• Offal - dead animals may harbour pathogens. Remain in tractor cabin when disposing of cows. Hose down bucket when finished. Don't dig into compost manually without PPE. Medium risk.

• Fire arms - high shooting risk. Follow seven rules of firearm safety. Only licensed shooters with permission 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.