Farm Hazards

All contractors and visitors to the farms must either sign in and out using the link above, or at the by text to Grant on 027 737 9518 when arriving and leaving. The exception is if your vehicle fleet is tracked by GPS and your company is tracking you.

Contractor's health and safety documents can be forwarded to grantduff@gmail.com

Please read all General Hazards below and the Hazard Map before you commence work.  

If you are going to be using Duff Farming 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 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 by clicking here if you prefer. We are open to all suggestions how to make the farm safer.

General Hazards

• Steep and sometimes slippery slopes - including on lanes. High risk of slides and collision.

  • Irrigation and rainfall will increase the risk of loss of control.

  • Use alternative routes if there is any possibility of loss of traction. In particular it's best to access the lower terrace from the northern driveway.

  • Use two wheel motorbikes wherever possible as there is less risk if you slide compared with other vehicles.

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

  • Particular care is required in all paddocks at night or in other low visibility conditions. New slips on the cliffs can develop after rain.

  • Don't drive tractors or heavy machinery near steep edges unnecessarily. Walk the cliff edge to check for changes and wet patches before starting work when it is necessary to drive a tractor near the edge (unavoidable instances such as for cultivation or harvesting).

  • 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. 

  • Pivot ruts can develop which may cause loss of control or roll over.

  • Waterways - the creeks present a high drowning risk. Children under the age of eight are to be supervised directly by someone over the age of sixteen.

• Fire - high risk in vegetation and buildings, particularly where fuels and chemicals are stored. Irrigation offtakes can be used as a firefighting water source.

• 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 or a lifting aid such as a forklift or front end loader to lift weights over 25kg.

• Blind corners and rises. High risk. Keep left, keep to speed limit. Watch for children, particularly on the drive way.

• Noise hazards - medium risk of hearing loss. Chainsaws, lawn mowers, power tools, tractors 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. SDS available by clicking here. 

  • Store chemicals in original containers with warning labels showing.

  • Keep the chemical store locked.

  • Pallets of herbicide may temporarily be kept locked in a shed rather than in the chemical shed. Ensure children don't have access.

  • 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.

• 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 never be alone. If children are found alone then alert the parents immediately. High risk.

• Public Roads - the farm borders Prydes Gully Rd and also Grants Rd which both have blind corners and intersections as well as blind rises. Conlans Rd has a large hedge which creates blind spots, and is often icy.

  • High speed traffic on the narrow 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. Reverse out if safer to do so.

  • Stock on public roads is a high collision risk. Double check that stock are locked away when leaving. 

  • 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.

• Electrical hazards - high electrocution risk. Remain 4m clear of overhead wires, particularly with telehandlers, excavators towing augers and operating front end loaders. Ensure you have clearance before driving under any wires. Look up and live.

  • 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 Network Waitaki site for public cable location and more safety info.

  • Care is required when extending the spray boom near electrical wires that contact is not possible while unfolding.

  • Pylons mid-field are a high collision risk, particularly when field work is being done at night and/or using autosteer. Never climb pylons. Enquire with Transpower if a pylon needs attention.

  • There are also underground cables to the pivots. Enquire with management before digging anywhere.

• 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.

  • Don't park anything in the way of the pivots. 

  • Overground pipework - such as hard hose gun lines. 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 year. 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.

• Offal - 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.

• 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.

  • Note the farm has a number of neighbouring residences close by, and a busy tourist cycleway. Safe field of fire is should be considered carefully and in advance, as the farm is visible from a lot of public places.

• 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. Consider placement of stacks away from the cliffs.

Click Here to see the Hazard Map.