All contractors and visitors to the farm must either sign in and out using the link above or by text to Alex on 022 107 3265 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.
Fire - high risk in vegetation, trees and 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 - 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 store. 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 on farm, particularly near the irrigation pond, 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 shift 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 Kakanui Valley Rd which has traffic operating at high speed over a blind rise.
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. 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 on the tanker track to the irrigation pond, and also across the paddocks to the house and to the pump shed. 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. Particular care is required at the unprotected centre of the pivot when passing in vehicles.
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.
Rotorainer
High pressure drag hose prone to holes. Do not step on or drive over the hose whether it is under pressure or not.
Open hydrants with care when under pressure.
Keep well clear of the cable when it is under load and monitor for signs of wear after pulling it out. Wire ropes that snap can recoil violently.
Keep hands clear of gears when under load.
Ensure the Rotorainer will not impact electrical wires, water troughs or other obstacles when it is travelling.
Take care to avoid watering the road as it can cause accidents when drivers suddenly lose visibility, particularly at night.
Some paddocks have iron anchors for the Rotorainer which present a solid collision risk.
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.
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.
Silage pit - fall risk. Keep away from the top of the silage pits.
Creeks, ponds, irrigation pond and open channels - high drowning risk. Children under the age of eight are to be supervised by someone over the age of sixteen when in the vicinity of drowning risks.
Kakanui River - adjacent to the property. Drowning risk and flood risk. Don't enter flood waters unless it is necessary to keep people safe. The cliffs on the opposite side of the river are unstable and staff should remain clear.
Manholes and sumps - entrapment and drowning risk. Covers to be kept secure and barriers remain in place.
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.