Children present - please drive slowly.
Use Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) with power tools. If PPE is not available or is unsuitable then contact management immediately. The following PPE is provided:
Protective glasses.
Earmuffs.
Chemical gloves.
Dust masks.
Chaps.
Helmet with visor.
Welding gloves and helmet.
The following hazards are present in the workshops and dairy shed. They are all high risk as they can cause severe injury. To minimise the risk you must use the PPE provided and seek training if you are not familiar with the tools. Keep guards in place and only use as intended.
Hazards: Flying debris, sparks, noise, disc shatter, entanglement.
Risks: Cuts, eye injuries, hearing damage, burns.
Controls:
Always use with guard securely in place.
Wear PPE: face shield, gloves, hearing protection.
Inspect discs before use; use correct disc type and size.
Secure workpiece and maintain firm grip.
Keep flammable materials away.
2. Bench Grinder
Hazards: Wheel explosion, eye injury, entanglement.
Risks: Lacerations, burns, eye damage.
Controls:
Use eye shields and safety glasses.
Maintain tool rests close to wheel (max 3mm gap).
No loose clothing/jewellery.
Check wheel condition regularly.
Train users in safe grinding techniques.
3. Press
Hazards: Crushing, pinch points, ejected components.
Risks: Broken bones, lacerations.
Controls:
Only trained users to operate.
Use guards and safety interlocks.
Keep hands clear; use push tools or jigs.
Regular maintenance checks.
4. Drop Saw (Chop Saw)
Hazards: Kickback, blade contact, noise.
Risks: Severe cuts, hearing damage.
Controls:
Use blade guards.
Wear safety glasses and hearing protection.
Secure material properly.
Keep hands behind blade path.
5. Drills
Hazards: Rotating parts, flying debris.
Risks: Puncture wounds, eye injury.
Controls:
Use correct drill bit.
Clamp workpiece if possible.
Wear eye protection.
Check cords for damage.
6. Circular Saw
Hazards: Kickback, blade exposure, dust.
Risks: Serious lacerations, respiratory issues.
Controls:
Use guard and riving knife.
Wear dust mask, safety glasses.
Check blade alignment and sharpness.
Avoid cutting unsupported material.
7. Electric Fence Unit
Hazards: Electric shock.
Risks: Minor to moderate shock.
Controls:
Install as per manufacturer’s instructions.
Use warning signs on active fences.
Keep away from easy access.
Regularly test fences.
8. Air Compressor
Hazards: Hose whip, over-pressurisation, noise.
Risks: Impact injury, hearing loss.
Controls:
Drain tank regularly.
Use pressure regulators and safety valves.
Secure hoses; wear hearing protection.
Never point air at people.
9. Generator (with RCD)
Hazards: Electrocution, CO poisoning, fire.
Risks: Death, fire damage.
Controls:
Use only with RCD.
Never use indoors—ensure ventilation.
Refuel only when engine is off and cool.
Inspect cables and plugs.
10. Diesel Heater
Hazards: Fire, CO poisoning.
Risks: Burns, asphyxiation.
Controls:
Keep away from flammables.
Use in ventilated areas only.
Maintain and inspect regularly.
Keep children clear.
11. Hot Water Cylinders
Hazards: Hot surfaces, steam release.
Risks: Burns, scalding.
Controls:
Fit temperature/pressure relief valves.
Insulate exposed pipes/tanks.
Signage for hot surfaces.
12. Hand Tools
Hazards: Sharp edges, repetitive motion injuries.
Risks: Cuts, muscle strain.
Controls:
Use right tool for the job.
Maintain tools in good condition.
Store tools safely.
Train in proper use.
13. Chainsaws
Hazards: Kickback, blade injury, falling trees.
Risks: Serious laceration, crush injury.
Controls:
Only trained and authorised users.
Never use alone.
Use full PPE (chaps, helmet, gloves, visor).
Inspect saw before use.
Clear work zone.
14. Fencing Equipment (incl. strainers)
Hazards: Tension recoil, pinch points.
Risks: Bruises, eye injury, lacerations.
Controls:
Wear gloves and eye protection.
Release tension slowly and carefully.
Keep clear of line of tension.
15. Line Trimmer
Hazards: Flying debris, entanglement, noise.
Risks: Eye injuries, cuts, hearing damage.
Controls:
Use eye/ear protection.
Wear long pants and sturdy shoes.
Avoid bystanders.
Don’t use when wet.
16. Water Blaster
Hazards: High-pressure spray, electrical contact.
Risks: Lacerations, electric shock.
Controls:
Never point at people.
Use correct nozzle for task.
Check for electrical sources nearby.
Wear protective boots and gloves.
17. Welders (incl. gas cylinders)
Hazards: Burns, eye damage, gas leaks, fire.
Risks: Flash burn, explosion, respiratory harm.
Controls:
Use correct PPE (welding shield, gloves, apron).
Secure cylinders upright and cap when not in use.
Ventilate work area.
Check for leaks.
18. Electrical overloading - use of double adaptors or multi-plug boards without overload protection.
Hazards: excessive current draw from multiple appliances on a single outlet, heat build-up in plug, socket, or wiring.
Risk: Fire due to overheating or melted insulation, electric shock if damage exposes live parts, damage to appliances or circuits, power outage or tripped circuit breakers, injury or death in the event of fire or electric shock.
Controls:
Use multi-plug boards with built-in overload protection (circuit breakers or fuses).
Ensure wiring and sockets are rated for the intended load.
Avoid using double adaptors or daisy-chaining power boards.
Ensure RCDs (Residual Current Devices) are installed and operational.
19. Shelving
Hazards: toppling / collapse of shelving or items on shelves.
Risk: Injury from falling shelves or stored items from overloading, poor installation, damage, or instability, or vibrations/movement. Poor Access or Ergonomics, heavy items on upper shelves.
Secure shelving to walls or floor to prevent tipping.
Controls:
Maintain clear access ways (minimum 600–900mm where applicable).
Store heavy or frequently accessed items at waist height.
Check for damage, overloading, or instability.
Train staff in proper manual handling and safe storage practices.
Chainsaws are a particularly hazardous tool requiring specific training. Risks include:
• Lacerations
• Amputation
• Eye injury
• Crushing and broken bones
• Carbon Monoxide poisoning
• Hearing loss
• Vibration syndrome - white finger
• Fire
Wear gloves, eye protection, helmet and chaps. Heavy moleskins and jeans don't count as chaps. Ear protection should be Class 5. Ensure your clothing is snug fitting and no loose elements are in the way.
Operators are supervised by an experienced operator before they can work unsupervised, but no one is to work alone.
Before operation check the chainsaw:
Check the chain brake works.
Check the chain is the right tension - it shouldn't quite pull out of the track.
Sharpen the chain before every use. Blunt saws eat jaws.
Check the depth guage is below the level of the teeth.
Check all bolts, screws and covers are tight.
Never adjust the machine while the engine is running.
Use 95 Octane petrol with the correct mix of two-stroke oil. Only mix a few litres at a time.
Clean the air filters, sprocket cover, chain brake, oil holes and guide bar groove after each use.
Clear your work area before starting the chainsaw so it is free of trip hazards.
Be aware of people who may enter your work area unseen.
Check nothing will fall on you while you are working (tree tops, hung trees, unstable log piles or logs with a changing centre of gravity etc.)
Note the weather and any effect it will have on your particular work area.
Starting
Never drop start the chainsaw.
Chain brake on.
Put the chainsaw on the ground in a clear area with one foot on the rear handle and one hand on the top handle.
Stand over the saw and use the other hand to pull start.
Expect the saw to start with a roar with the chain running in case it does.
Never operate the chainsaw above shoulder height.
Never over reach.
Never operate with one hand.
Never cut with the upper tip of the chainsaw blade as this is the main cause of kick back.
Plant your feet firmly and slightly apart for balance.
Always expect kick back.
Allow the saw to cut through the wood. If you find you need to dig the spurs into the wood and rock the chainsaw to make it cut you will need to stop and sharpen it.
Apply the chain brake when moving around, refuelling, or any time you are not actively cutting. Point the saw backwards with the hot side away from you when walking.
Check chain lube at each tank refill.
Refill the oil tank before the fuel tank so the saw is cooler when you are pouring petrol.
Move 3m away from the fuel cans before starting.