Policy

SAFETY & HEALTH POLICY

The Management of Scott Simpson Contracting are committed to provide for all staff and others, a working environment that is (as far as reasonably practicable) free from hazards.

To achieve this all Staff, Contractors Sub-contractors and Others will be required to abide by a Code of Conduct or, where relevant, specific instruction to prevent any person being harmed.

All relevant Acts, Regulations, Codes of Practice, Guidelines and Employment Contracts will be implemented where reasonably practicable to do so.  All accidents and incidents will be recorded and reported.

Safety and safe work practices with Scott Simpson Contracting are not negotiable and failure to abide by any agreed rule will be viewed as a serious misconduct.

The Management of Scott Simpson Contracting will comply with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and are also committed to providing and maintaining a safe and healthy working environment for all Employees, Contractors and Sub-contractors.

It is our policy to make every practical and reasonable effort to protect everybody, to prevent accidents or serious harm injuries and promote the health, safety and welfare of all persons working for this agribusiness.

All steps will be taken by all Employees and Management to identify, list and prioritise hazards and to determine ways of eliminating, isolating or minimising those hazards.

The Management of Scott Simpson Contracting will encourage safe work methods with all machinery and plant, training will be provided.

The Management have an emergency preparedness programme and will ensure people are not exposed to excessive risk.

Scott Simpson Contracting expects anyone working in this farm and contracting workplace to observe and practice safe work methods to ensure a safe and healthy workplace, as well as ensuring that no action or inaction on their part causes harm to any other person. Scott Simpson Contracting are committed to support the safe and early return to work of any injured employee.

All accidents/incidents will be reported and recorded on this website, or in person to management without fear of discipline. This can be done anonymously by clicking here.

All Employees are to be familiar with, understand and comply with the relevant Safety Codes or where applicable, specific instructions.

All Staff, Contractors, Sub-Contractors, Employee's Family Members and Visitors will comply with the Management's Health and Safety Code of Conduct.

Safety and safe work practices with Scott Simpson Contracting is not negotiable and failure to abide by any agreed rule will be viewed as a serious misconduct.

CODE OF CONDUCT

Summary:

1.         The Code of Conduct has been compiled to comply with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.

2.         We will actively promote the Code of Conduct to ensure the working environment on this Farm is as far as reasonably practicable free from hazards.

3.         All Staff will have the Code of Conduct for this Farm and contracting workplace explained to them and be made fully aware of its importance.

4.         All Staff will be required to acknowledge a copy of the Code of Conduct during induction.

5.         All Staff will be given a link to the Code of Conduct.

6.         The Code of Conduct will be discussed by Management and Staff at regular meetings.

7.         The Code of Conduct is to be reviewed annually or as required.

8.         Non-compliance with any of the Code of Conduct will be viewed as serious misconduct.

SAFETY & HEALTH

CODE OF CONDUCT

General:

1. Follow and obey all rules, signs and instructions for the workplace/farm. If in doubt, ask!

2. Hazards: Always look out for hazards and remember to remove them, guard against them and warn others about them.

Remember: Eliminate,   Isolate and   Minimise

3. Report immediately any condition or practice you think might cause damage to equipment or injuries to anyone on the farm.

4. Maintain safe work practices and keep yourself and others safe.

5. Emergencies:

Read and understand the emergency procedures, location of the fire extinguishers, first aid kits and their use.

If in doubt, ask.

6. Accidents or Incidents: Whenever you or the equipment you operate is involved in an accident or incident, regardless of how minor, report and record it on day of occurrence and inform management.  

Get first-aid promptly if needed.

7. Tools: Use the correct tools and equipment for the job and use them as safely as possible.

Put everything you use in its proper place.  

Keep work items clean and orderly.

8. Protective Equipment: 

Wear approved personal protective equipment (PPE) as directed.  

Keep PPE correctly maintained and in good working condition.

9. Chemicals:

Handle all chemicals with care; when using chemicals use correct protective gear.

Read the labels and follow the instructions.

10. Heavy Loads & Lifting

Whenever possible, bend your knees, grasp the load firmly, and then raise the load keeping your back as straight as possible.

Always get help for heavy loads or use mechanical lifting.

Do not take unnecessary risks in the workplace;

Avoid distracting others while they are working. 

11. Training will be provided as per the Training Programme.

12. Respect the 'No Smoking' areas in the workplace - this includes vehicles. 

13. Sun block and hats to be worn as appropriate.

14. No firearms on the property without consent and firearms licence - at all times.

Vehicles & Machinery:

15. All tractors and machinery will be mounted and dis-mounted correctly and at no time is any Staff to climb/jump off any moving vehicle.

16. Weekly, before use, all tractors, machinery and farm bikes will have the 5 (five) step check carried out using the checklist provided; Brakes, fuel, water, oil, visual check tyres on bikes. (Tyre pressure as per manufacturers specifications).

17. All vehicles shall be checked thoroughly, cleaned and serviced, identify and report any faults to Employer on farm vehicle maintenance sheets immediately.

18. Keep all machine guards in place

Replace any guards removed for cleaning.

19. Bike Helmets to be worn at all times when using/riding any bikes.  Speed limit is set on this farm at 40 km.

20. Whenever P.T.O. driven equipment is being used, the operator will not leave the driving platform until all drives are completely stopped or stationary.

21. At any time when equipment or machinery becomes jammed, the operator/driver will not under any circumstances attempt to clear the obstruction without first turning the machine off. 

Seek assistance if required.

22. All hydraulic equipment will be lowered to the ground when not in use, including front end loader and silage forks.

23. Chainsaws: Only trained staff to use the chainsaws. PPE gear supplied must be worn at all times. 

Farm Bikes:

Before you ride, ask yourself whether the ATV is the right vehicle for the job; ensure all riders are trained/experienced enough to do the job.

Recognise dangerous area by establishing personal ‘no-go’ zones.

Don’t carry passengers if you can possibly avoid it.

Don’t let children under 16 years ride adult farm bikes

Check the operating condition of the farm bike before you ride it and keep in safe condition

Keep within the manufacturers towing or carrying limits.

Tell someone where you are going on the farm bike

Avoid use while fatigued or under stress

Restrict unauthorised access to the farm bike.

               If you are unsure – ASK!

DRUG AND ALCOHOL POLICY

Using drugs or alcohol can lead to employee impairment while at work. Poor concentration, carelessness, risk-taking behaviour and errors in judgement can occur. Alcohol and drug abuse not only affects work performance and productivity, but also results in higher rates of injuries, fatalities and absenteeism. This policy aims to prevent issues arising from alcohol and drug use, sets expectations for staff, and describes what happens if drug or alcohol impairment is suspected.

• You must not work while under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs whether consumed during or before work hours. This includes hangovers. Everyone finds themselves under the influence when expected at work on occasion during their career. In this situation you can be honest and take the time off to recover without consequences, but if it becomes a regular occurrence then written warnings or alcohol counselling may be considered.

• Alcohol and illicit drugs must not be consumed at work.

• Legal drugs are allowed if prescribed or non-prescription. However, in all cases you will need to check that side effects are compatible with working in a safety critical environment - i.e. working with stock or driving heavy machinery. Where side effects are not compatible with working in a safety critical environment it is requested that you notify management so that you may be placed in alternative work which is not safety critical, or given time off as appropriate.

• Staff will be monitored by the managerment (and clients) for signs of intoxicated behaviour.

• Staff who are suspected of intoxication or are convicted of alcohol or drug offences will be removed from safety critical work and the situation will be discussed between management and the staff member. The outcome will depend on the specific situation and may include removing the staff member from safety critical roles, or entering the disciplinary process.

• If you decide you have an alcohol or drug problem you can get free resources here. 

• Support is available at this website.

•  You may also visit a doctor who can help - North End Health Centre  03 437 0347. Time off will be given for this purpose.