Marchwood Run Off

315 Glenn Settlement Rd

Contractor Induction

All contractors and visitors to the Marchwood Run Off Block must either sign in and out using the link above or by text to Blair on 0274 431 709 when arriving and leaving. The exception is if your vehicle fleet is tracked by company GPS.

Contractors visiting Marchwood or Awamoko dairy farms must sign in and out using the relevant systems for those farms, or by contacting James on 027 215 8266.

Please read all General Hazards below and the Hazard Maps then read the hazards for the relevant work areas below before you commence work.  

Click here for Workshop Hazards

If you are going to be using machinery please read about the Vehicle and Machinery Hazards and ensure you have 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 not used to inform disciplinary procedures unless malice is involved. Please also report any changed or new hazards you may notice or incidents that occur. 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 cow lanes. High risk of slides and collision. If the cow lanes are slippery use a quad bike or tractor rather than ute or two wheeler if attempting a slope. Avoid no-go areas. 

  • Irrigation and rainfall will increase the risk of loss of control, particularly fixed grid which may have been running recently.

  • Use alternative routes if there is any possibility of loss of traction. Consider the consequences of a slide when assessing the risk as some slopes have cliffs at the bottom. 

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

  • 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.

  • 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. 

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

  • Do not take tractors or utes on the track above the dam. Use alternative route. Motorbikes are allowed with caution in dry conditions.

  • Wear a seat belt.

  • Keep left on Marchwood driveway and drive slowly due to head-on risk.

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

• 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.

• 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 rescue must be effected immediately. Ensure lifing cages are secured to the tractor/telehandler so they don't slide off. 

• Confined spaces - work inside silos requires confined spaces training. Lock out power sources to augers and cleaning in place (CIP) where relevant, 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 or a digger/front end loader 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 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 - the farm has entrances off Glenn Settlement Rd.

  • Glen Settlement Rd and other roads around the district are gravel surfaced which can cause a vehicle to slide around corners. Keep speeds low and anticipate sliding on loose gravel. If you inadvertently enter a slide keep driving through it and resist the instinct to brake.

  • 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. When shifting stock on the road use the signs, rotating beacons and enough staff. Notify council to get a stock droving permit.

  • 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. 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.

• 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.

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

  • Never put body parts including the head above irrigation hydrants.

  • Pipes may be under tension even when not under pressure. Caution during repairs.

• 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.

Click Here to see the Hazard Map.