All contractors and visitors to the farm must either sign in and out using the link above or by text to Alex on 0274 313 092 when arriving and leaving. The exception is if your vehicle fleet is tracked by GPS and you are tracked by your own company.
Contractor's health and safety documents can be forwarded to admin@borstholdings.co.nz
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 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.
Steep and sometimes slippery slopes - particularly on cow lanes. High risk of slides and collision. If the cow lanes are slippery use a quad bike or tractor rather than a ute or two wheeler. Irrigation or rain will increase the risk of loss of traction. Use alternative routes if available.
Paddock 23 is a particularly hazardous slope with a pond at the bottom. There have been several vehicles slide down this hill. Drivers must carefully assess ground condition on foot before proceeding.
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.
Under runners can open up on this farm - report to management for repair.
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.
Particular care to keep left and give way is needed for the blind corner when exiting the tanker loop and turning towards the house.
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 storage. 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. Take particular care on the tanker tracks and driveways near houses. 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 people. Use two people and lifting equipment to handle heavy wheels.
Any heavy objects that may fall on people need to be secured - post drivers, workshop shelves, mole ploughs etc.
Public Roads - the farm has an entrance off Whitstone-Five Forks Rd which has traffic operating at high speed around blind corners.
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.
Stock on public roads is a high collision risk. Double check that stock are locked away at night. Only shift stock on the road in an emergency situation - all stock are trucked in normal situations. 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. There are power wires crossing the tanker track to the dosatron shed, and also across the calf paddock to the house. 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 Network Waitaki 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.
Automated irrigation systems which may start at any time. Low risk. Don't park anything on pivot tracks. Check pivot circle is clear before starting pivots.
Overground pipework - K-line 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.
Hydrants - may be hidden in long grass. Keep markers in a visible condition and learn hydrant locations.
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 and/or dark.
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.
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. Don't leave ladders where children may climb silos. Lockout ladders that can't be removed.
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. Do not operate without guards fitted - the guards are only to be removed for repairs if disconnected from the tractor.
Weeping Wall - high unfenced drowning risk. Visitors and children are not to be unsupervised around the cow shed and effluent system.
Kliptank - drowning and falls risk. Don't work alone if climbing Kliptank. Observe tank from adjacent bank if possible rather than climbing onto the tank.
Steam cleaner - highly hazardous due to hot water under high pressure powered by mains electricity and heated with diesel. Do not expose other people or yourself to the hot water stream. Be aware of hot water. Wear gloves and an apron or water proof pants either of which must be worn so that water cannot flow into your gumboots. Use an RCD if using with a generator or outdoors. Keep the electric cord on the opposite side from the wash area and keep it dry. Check electrical cord and hoses for faults before operating - water and electricity don't mix.