Thread: WorkSafe: hunting on farmland

If a farmer decides not to let you on 'hunting' because of "new health and safety laws", there's a fair chance they don't understand the revised legislation. It is something you as a hunter could learn a bit about and offer some assistance, especially if you know the farmer and property well.

We are in the forestry game, running crews where 80% of our work is on or around farming operations. You all would be amazed at the amount of farmers who don't have anything in place, and simply don't think they need to. Many just don't want to know.

Interestingly and generally speaking the younger generation of farmers are very much up with the play and know their responsibilities. It's quite refreshing to arrive on site to meet a farmer who has a hazard register and management system in place waiting for you.

Everyone is still learning the new rules and responsibilities, what actually needs doing on a workplace hasn't changed a hell of a lot - if they were operating with reasonable H&S steps in place they'll be fine. We've been operating a very good H&S system for years and even with the new rules, only small amounts of it has had to change. More regular communication between parties is the biggest change.

However now the liability, responsibilities and penalties for not following legislation are much more serious and clear cut, hence why we are seeing sudden changes and in some cases arms being thrown up in the air by landowners. Many have realized they've been winging it all these years and now if sh*t hits the fan, sweeping it under the carpet is a lot more difficult, many haven't even worked that out! Haha.

Keeping an induction/visitor register is not that hard. Identifying hazards and managing them is not that hard. Having exclusion and no-go zones is easily managed. So is coming up with a list clear cut rules to follow while on the property.

Originally Posted by JoshC

If a farmer decides not to let you on 'hunting' because of "new health and safety laws", there's a fair chance they don't understand the revised legislation. It is something you as a hunter could learn a bit about and offer some assistance, especially if you know the farmer and property well.

We are in the forestry game, running crews where 80% of our work is on or around farming operations. You all would be amazed at the amount of farmers who don't have anything in place, and simply don't think they need to. Many just don't want to know.

Interestingly and generally speaking the younger generation of farmers are very much up with the play and know their responsibilities. It's quite refreshing to arrive on site to meet a farmer who has a hazard register and management system in place waiting for you.

Everyone is still learning the new rules and responsibilities, what actually needs doing on a workplace hasn't changed a hell of a lot - if they were operating with reasonable H&S steps in place they'll be fine. We've been operating a very good H&S system for years and even with the new rules, only small amounts of it has had to change. More regular communication between parties is the biggest change.

However now the liability, responsibilities and penalties for not following legislation are much more serious and clear cut, hence why we are seeing sudden changes and in some cases arms being thrown up in the air by landowners. Many have realized they've been winging it all these years and now if sh*t hits the fan, sweeping it under the carpet is a lot more difficult, many haven't even worked that out! Haha.

Keeping an induction/visitor register is not that hard. Identifying hazards and managing them is not that hard. Having exclusion and no-go zones is easily managed. So is coming up with a list clear cut rules to follow while on the property.

Great post

Originally Posted by JoshC

If a farmer decides not to let you on 'hunting' because of "new health and safety laws", there's a fair chance they don't understand the revised legislation. It is something you as a hunter could learn a bit about and offer some assistance, especially if you know the farmer and property well.

We are in the forestry game, running crews where 80% of our work is on or around farming operations. You all would be amazed at the amount of farmers who don't have anything in place, and simply don't think they need to. Many just don't want to know.

Interestingly and generally speaking the younger generation of farmers are very much up with the play and know their responsibilities. It's quite refreshing to arrive on site to meet a farmer who has a hazard register and management system in place waiting for you.

Everyone is still learning the new rules and responsibilities, what actually needs doing on a workplace hasn't changed a hell of a lot - if they were operating with reasonable H&S steps in place they'll be fine. We've been operating a very good H&S system for years and even with the new rules, only small amounts of it has had to change. More regular communication between parties is the biggest change.

However now the liability, responsibilities and penalties for not following legislation are much more serious and clear cut, hence why we are seeing sudden changes and in some cases arms being thrown up in the air by landowners. Many have realized they've been winging it all these years and now if sh*t hits the fan, sweeping it under the carpet is a lot more difficult, many haven't even worked that out! Haha.

Keeping an induction/visitor register is not that hard. Identifying hazards and managing them is not that hard. Having exclusion and no-go zones is easily managed. So is coming up with a list clear cut rules to follow while on the property.

I shoot on my mates farm. I basically text him and he always says 'sweet as'. I do not want to f things up for him so I am going to have a chat about this. Thanks mate.

Yep, good post @JoshC, sums it up pretty good. Likewise the new legislation has changed very little of what we do with running shooting events but we have introduced a little bit more paper work and a couple of small requirements. All in all doing this has made it easy to ensure clear communication with land owners / managers on properties we deal with.

In fact with the bit of communication that came out of the NZDA National Executive a week or two ago, I'll be helping my local NZDA branch out with H&S practices for range shoots held on a farm.

Originally Posted by Gillie

Yep, good post @JoshC, sums it up pretty good. Likewise the new legislation has changed very little of what we do with running shooting events but we have introduced a little bit more paper work and a couple of small requirements. All in all doing this has made it easy to ensure clear communication with land owners / managers on properties we deal with.

In fact with the bit of communication that came out of the NZDA National Executive a week or two ago, I'll be helping my local NZDA branch out with H&S practices for range shoots held on a farm.

@Gillie anything in that we could borrow for Tobys shoot. Pretty sure @BRADS and Andrew are sorted but be good to do it right.

Originally Posted by Gibo

@Gillie anything in that we could borrow for Tobys shoot. Pretty sure @BRADS and Andrew are sorted but be good to do it right.

Your a few days behind the eight ball chap move along


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Originally Posted by BRADS

Your a few days behind the eight ball chap move along


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Very good

Its pretty simple stuff @Gibo (emergency response, first aid, communications, site hazards map, etc.) and yep I have been in touch with @BRADS - although he hasn't actually replied to my offer of some "advice". Also I have a couple of simple documents to complete / improve following what we learnt with them at the last event.

All fun and games, but the offer for advice or a look at our shoot set up and running procedures is there.

I've been following this thread with interest. I've been told to sort our H&S out for our work place and sites.
Most of the boys have all ways known the rules and do their best to comply. We find we are hindered due to owners lack of understanding or more likely there will full blindness. Works kind of like a handbrake. People would like to comply, but don't receive the appropriate direction or support from the company. Old way was do just enough to pass. New rules are you must do everything that is practable.
All of a sudden boss is interested and has major concerns..... Why, cause he now realises that he has his cock on the block no excuses. Suddenly it's open budget to comply. To be honest rules haven't really changed bugger all. So don't get yr panties all bunched up. Difference is if you fuck up they are coming for you, and every one up the chain is going to pay in differing degrees.
Everyone is required to abide by H&S legislation, no excuses you cannot opt out, but now they are going to start with on the spot infringements from the man on the floor to the leading hand,the line manager to the fat cat at the top. Get yr wallet ready! The infringements are going to pay for the inspectors salaries.
For example We have had to go do Dangerous goods approved handlers certificates. I would think some of you farmers would need to do this as well. I was dreading it, but to be honest it was interesting and put us on the right track.
Everything has been pretty easy to achieve, plenty of good govt web sites to give you templates and good information. Worst bit has been down loading and checking the 300 odd MSDS of all the different products we use and or store on our sites. Took about 7 days.
The industry's are full of different small business trying to scare the pants off everyone at the moment hooking into the compliance gold mine. Save yr self a bit off coin and do your research.
It's not hard.
This year is carrot time, next year stick. Inspectors will turn up and hit the first guy , girl at the gate or door with basics. If they can't answer the fine book comes out. They are on your site 1st thing, if they are not inducted, they must sign in as a visitor. Do they have the appropriate PPE, no tell them to leave. Next will be "can you show me your emergency procedures?, or your MSDS folders, you have ten minutes" or instant fines will be handed out.
Our H&S stats are pretty grim reading compared to other OECD's, so they got the big stick out.

Here is the new fact sheet from Walking Access Commission.

Latest News » Walking Access Commission

Good to see them putting some clear guidance out there