Risk Analysis

General hazards

1. Steep & Slippery Slopes on Fairway

Risks:

• High risk of slides, roll-overs, or collision on steep and slippery ground (e.g., cow lanes).
  
  

• Particularly hazardous during or after rainfall or irrigation, and in low visibility conditions (such as at night).
  
  

• Uneven ground, new holes, pivot ruts, soft or boggy patches compound the danger.
   

Controls:

• Use quads or tractors instead of utes or two-wheelers where slopes are slippery.
  
  

• Always have a viable "run-out" path.
  
  

• Report any holes or boggy areas promptly to management to be fixed.
  
  

• Children under 8 must be directly supervised if near waterways or steep terrain.
  
  

2. Waterways, Pond, Drain & Drowning Hazards

Risks:

• Soft-bottomed ponds, drains, and waterways pose a high drowning risk—especially for children.
   

Controls:

• Supervision of children under age eight by someone aged 16+.
  
  

• Clearly mark or restrict access to dangerous water areas.
  
  

3. Electrical Hazards (Overhead & Underground Lines)

Risks:

• Overhead wires pose electrocution risk, especially when using tall machinery (telehandlers, excavators, augers, front-end loaders).
  
  

• Underground cables may be present in unpredictable locations—risk of electrocution or service damage during digging.
  
  

Controls:

• Maintain at least 4 m clearance from overhead lines.
  
  

• Always ask management about underground cable locations before digging.
  
  

4. Fire Risks

Risks:

• Fire can start in vegetation and buildings, and flammable liquids present near fuel storage or machinery areas can escalate the threat.
   

Controls:

• Be aware of the locations of diesel/petrol tanks, fire extinguishers, and first-aid kits.
  
  

• Maintain access to high-pressure water sources (via dairy shed irrigation off-takes or water tanks) during the irrigation season.
  
  

5. Heavy Machinery & Vehicle Collisions

Risks:

• Risk of collision with tractors, trucks, milk tankers, and other machinery—especially when visibility is low or traffic is heavy.
   

Controls:

• Keep left on farm lanes.
  
  

• Use rotating beacon lights when fitted.
  
  

• Always communicate and expect others around—maintain low speeds.
  
  

6. Lone Work & Communication Gaps

Risks:

• Working alone in remote parts risks becoming stranded or injured without anyone aware.
   

Controls:

• Always carry a cell phone.
  
  

• If in poor reception zones, notify someone of your location and expected return time.
  
  

• Use a device compatible with satellite texting if needed.
  
  

7. Ladders, Heights & Confined Spaces

Risks:

• Falls from ladders or raised platforms.
  
  

• Risk of entrapment or incapacitation inside vats/silos.
   

Controls:

• Avoid ladders—use scaffolding, lifts, or telehandlers with proper cages. Ladders only if needed and held by someone.
  
  

• Any work above 1.5 m demands training, fall protection, rescue plans, and must not be done alone.
  
  

• Do not enter confined spaces unless trained; lock out power, use trained spotters, and have rescue plans.
  
  

8. Manual Handling & Lifting Injuries

Risks:

• Back strain or musculoskeletal injuries from handling heavy or awkward loads.
   

Controls:

• Use two-person lifts for weights over 25 kg.
  
  

• Calves may be handled single-handedly due to awkward shape.
  
  

9. Noise Exposure

Risks:

• Chainsaws, lawn mowers, power tools, tractors without cabs can exceed safe noise levels, potentially causing hearing loss.
   

Controls:

• Mandatory use of hearing protection when operating or near noisy equipment.
  
  

10. Chemical Hazards

Risks:

• Storage of hazardous substances (e.g., hormones, anthelmintics, herbicides) can lead to explosions, corrosive injuries, poisoning.
  
  

• Pregnant individuals face heightened risk.
   

Controls:

• Store chemicals in original, labeled containers.
  
  

• Use PPE: nitrile gloves, masks, safety glasses, cotton overalls, and gumboots.
  
  

• Access Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
  
  

• Avoid chemical contact, especially during pregnancy.
  
  

11. Animal Handling & Livestock Risks

Risks:

• Crushing, kicking, slips, and aggressive behavior from cattle and bulls.
  
  

• Slippery, boggy surfaces in yards increase likelihood of injury.
   

Controls:

• Follow safe handling techniques—be quiet but firm.
  
  

• Always maintain an escape route and stay out of kicking range.
  
  

• Treat bulls with heightened caution.
  
  

12. Children’s Safety

Risks:

• Children present on farm face hazards from chemicals, machinery, drowning, unstable terrain, and livestock.
   

Controls:

• Direct adult supervision required, especially in hazardous zones.
  
  

• Children under 12 must stay away from effluent compounds and must not climb or use farm machinery alone.
  
  

13. Road & Public Traffic Hazards

Risks:

• Traffic on public roads (e.g., Hakataramea Highway) poses collision risks, especially when merging or turning with extended machinery (e.g. front-end loaders).
   

Controls:

• Use farm access routes when possible.
  
  

• Keep left and follow traffic rules.
  
  

• Allow faster traffic to pass.
  
  

• Take extra care when turning onto public roads.
  
  

Dairy shed risk analysis

1. Slips, Trips & Falls (Steps, Pits, Vat Tops, Silos)

Hazard & Risks:

• Slippery surfaces (algae, washdown) on steps, vats, silos; slips/falls from heights.
  
  

Controls:

• Engineering: Handrails, anti-slip coatings, designated access platforms, physical barriers for vats/silos.
  
  

• PPE: Non-slip gumboots, gloves.
  
  

Residual Risk: Medium (from initial High).

2. Crushing & Entanglement (Platforms, Gates, Augers, Grain Gear)

Hazard & Risks:

• Risk of being crushed under platforms; entanglement in gates or augers; fatalities reported when machinery activates unexpectedly.
  
  

Controls:

• Engineering: Lock-out/tag-out procedures, physical guarding, emergency red-cords, interlocks, remove ladders, disable machinery before entry.
  
  

• Administrative: Exclusion zones, pre-use checks, confined-space permits.
  
  

• PPE: Steel-toe gumboots, gloves.
  
  

Residual Risk: Medium (High to Medium with guarding and controls).

3. Animal Handling (Shed, Yards, Vet Crush)

Hazard & Risks:

• Crushing or kicking injuries during animal interactions, especially during veterinary tasks.
  
  

Controls:

• Engineering: Safe race design, anti-slip surfaces, safe positions at crush.
  
  

• Administrative: Low-stress handling training, two-person rule for high-risk tasks.
  
  

• PPE: Steel-toe gumboots, leg guards, gloves.
  
  

Residual Risk: Medium.

4. Chemicals & Hazardous Substances

Hazard & Risks:

• Burns, poisoning, and toxic gas (chlorine) from incompatible mixes; aerosol explosions; sharps injury.
  
  

Controls:

• Engineering: Segregated storage, secondary containment, eyewash stations, cylinder restraints.
  
  

• Administrative: SDS access, training, chemical-use SOPs, correct labeling, pregnancy precautions, sharps protocol.
  
  

• PPE: Nitrile gloves, splash goggles, overalls, respirators as required.
  
  

Residual Risk: Medium.

5. Refrigeration Plant (Toxic Refrigerant)

Hazard & Risks:

• Toxic refrigerant exposure from leaks.
  
  

Controls:

• Engineering: Qualified maintenance, leak detection, adequate ventilation.
  
  

• Administrative: Restricted access, emergency call-outs, evacuation procedures.
  
  

• PPE: Contractor-specified.
  
  

Residual Risk: Medium.

6. Hot Water & Scalding

Hazard & Risks:

• Scald injuries during use of hot water systems; hot surface contact.
  
  

Controls:

• Engineering: Seismic restraints for cylinders, guarded or insulated pipes, thermostatic mixers.
  
  

• Administrative: Hot-tap labeling, SOPs for filling, clear instructions.
  
  

• PPE: Aprons, gloves, eye protection.
  
  

Residual Risk: Medium.

7. Pressurised Systems (Wash/Purge Air, Teat Spray, Pneumatics)

Hazard & Risks:

• Injury from hose ejection or pressure release.
  
  

Controls:

• Engineering: Pressure relief, interlocks, secure fittings and hose whip-checks.
  
  

• Administrative: De-pressurise before maintenance, permits/tags, competent operator requirement.
  
  

• PPE: Eye and hand protection.
  
  

Residual Risk: Medium.

8. Electrical Hazards

Hazard & Risks:

• Electrocution from wet environments, faulty cords, underground cables, or exposed circuits.
  
  

Controls:

• Engineering: RCD, IP-rated outlets, organised cabling, lock-covered boards.
  
  

• Administrative: Pre-use inspections, permit for digging, no-wet-hands rules.
  
  

• PPE: Dielectric gloves only for qualified electricians, otherwise keep hands dry.
  
  

Residual Risk: Medium.

9. Housekeeping (Hoses, Taps, Walkways)

Hazard & Risks:

• Trip or impact injuries from hoses or open taps; damage by walking backwards.
  
  

Controls:

• Engineering: Hose reels, hooks, anti-slip mats.
  
  

• Administrative: “Hoses away, taps off” rule, no-walking-backwards policy, routine audits.
  
  

• PPE: Non-slip footwear.
  
  

Residual Risk: Low–Medium.

10. Bulk Liquids & Confined Spaces (Vats, Silos)

Hazard & Risks:

• Engulfment, asphyxiation, chemical exposure if entering confined spaces.
  
  

Controls:

• Engineering: Lock hatches, barrier access, no fixed ladders.
  
  

• Administrative: Confined-space permits per AS 2865, atmospheric testing, standby rescue.
  
  

• PPE: Entry-specific (e.g. harness, gas detection) only with full controls.
  
  

Residual Risk: Low (with no-entry policy) or Medium (if entry permitted under full control).

11. Zoonoses (Crypto, Leptospirosis)

Hazard & Risks:

• Disease from animal fluids and environmental exposure.
  
  

Controls:

• Hygiene stations, no-eating policies, vaccination (lepto), wound care, splash protection.
  
  

Residual Risk: Low.

12. Effluent Ponds (Near Shed)

Hazard & Risks:

• Drowning hazard near open effluent areas.
  
  

Controls:

• Engineering: Barriers, handrails, gate locks.
  
  

• Administrative: Buddy system within 0.5 m of pond, no-solo policy, rescue gear.
  
  

• PPE: As required for access (e.g. boots, gloves).
  
  

Residual Risk: Medium.

13. Grain Mill / Silos / Augers

Hazard & Risks:

• Crushing, entrapment, asphyxiation risks during operation or silo entry.
  
  

Controls:

• Engineering: Guards, interlocks, removal of ladders.
  
  

• Administrative: LOTO before servicing, atmospheric testing, no-solo entries.
  
  

• PPE: Steel-toe gumboots, gloves, harness/personnel locator if entry.
  
  

Residual Risk: Medium.

14. Manual Handling & Overuse

Hazard & Risks:

• Strains and Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) from milking clusters, lifting.
  
  

Controls:

• Job rotation, micro-break scheduling, use two-person lifts, ergonomic equipment setup.
  
  

Residual Risk: Low.

15. Noise

Hazard & Risks:

• Hearing damage from prolonged exposure to machinery/plant noise.
  
  

Controls:

• Engineering: Quieter equipment, isolation mounting.
  
  

• Administrative: Hearing protection with fit-testing, audiometry per NZ standards.
  
  

Residual Risk: Low–Medium.

16. Dust (Occasional)

Hazard & Risks:

• Respiratory irritation or eye discomfort from dust.
  
  

Controls:

• Ventilation, dampened sweeping, disposable dust masks, goggles if needed.
  
  

Residual Risk: Low.