Farm Risk Assessment Frequently asked questions
What is this?
Why should I use it?
How do I know where I am in the risk assessment?
Are there bookmarks?
Can I use browser favorites?
What if a whole section does not apply on my farm?
How do I add another vehicle or machine?
How come I only see the first few letters in my vehicle?
My assessment is going off screen
Do I have to add my own controls?
How do I change my registration details?
How do I delete a hazard from a section?
Whys is risk assessment appearing off screen?

What is this?
This is an electronic version of the Risk Assessment document from the Farm Safety Code of Practice, i.e. the Code of Practice for Preventing Injury and ill Health in Agriculture. It allows you to fill in and save the risk assessment electronically. It will store your risk assessment which you can look at and update at any time by logging onto www.farmsafely.com
If you have to log out before you complete the risk assessment document your work will be saved and it will bring you back to the same stage when you log back in. When complete and you set out what you need to take action on you can print out your farm safety action plan.

 

Why should I use it?
It is a legal requirement to have a safety statement which includes a risk assessment on your farm. If you have 3 or less people working on your farm you can use the Farm Safety Code of Practice to comply with your legal requirement. This electronic means of completing your risk assessment has several advantages;

 

How do I start assessing my farm?
The Farm risk assessment contains an introduction, nine sections and an action list. Each section contains some information about hazards and risks on the farm, statistics on farming accidents so you can understand the importance of the practical things you can do to make you farm safer. You should start by reading the information presented at the start of each section before attempting the risk assessment.
Following consideration of this information you will find a risk assessment in the form of a list of questions on that hazard on your farm and some initial safety controls you should put in place. Consider each control and see if it is applicable to the hazard. Finally, you should add any additional controls that you see as appropriate on your farm. If you are in doubt about how to use the risk assessment click on (introduction) beside the Previous button.

 

How do I know where I am in the risk assessment?
Between the "previous" and "next" buttons there are a number of red boxes, one for each risk assessment section. The one being worked on will be larger than the rest while you are working on it within the document. The boxes change colour as you complete each section. Red means incomplete, Green means complete and Blue means the section does not apply on your farm.

 

Are there bookmarks?
Yes. When you login the Risk assessment will return you to the start of the last section your updated.

 

Can I use browser favorites?
Yes. You can save your current page to favorites, but when you return you will be asked to login again.

 

What if a whole section does not apply on my farm?

You can mark a section as N/A by clicking the add hazard button (e.g. "Add Vehicle"). In the form/box click the "SECTION DOES NOT APPLY" button. The text "THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY ON MY FARM" will appear on the risk assessment and the section button at the bottom of the screen will change to blue.

To make this section apply again, open the hazards form/box and enter the name of a new hazard and click save.

 

How do I add another vehicle or machine?

If you need to assess another hazard on your farm go to the section where this hazard is examined and click the "Add vehicle" button.
The same applies for machines, livestock, equipment, farm areas and activities. Each section has a similar button that will allow you to assess hazards on your farm. Once you have entered the name of the new hazard, click the save button.

 

Why can I only see the first few letters in my vehicle on the risk assessment sheet?
Only the first 10 characters of hazard names are shown on screen, however when you print the complete document the full names are used. It is advisable to use something short at the start of the name which you can use to identify the hazard, such as the license plate number or model.

 

My assessment is going off screen
Depending on the number of hazards you list on your farm you may find that the list goes off screen. This is okay, it will not affect the final report or printouts.

 

Do I have to add my own controls?
Although the list of controls presented is extensive it is not exhaustive. It would be impractical to list every possible control that farmers may have on their farms.
However, most farms will do (or have done) things to ensure that their farm is safe. Two or three additional controls per section is likely to be all that is needed to conclude the list. That said, some farmers will have no additional controls for some sections. The important thing is to consider the controls you need for the kinds of hazards you identify. You should add any hazards and controls that are appropriate to your farm.

 

How do I change my registration details?
You can change your registration details using the "My Profile" link beside HELP? at the top of the screen. You can change any details except your login email address.

 

How do I delete a hazard from a section?
To delete a hazard just empty it's name from the hazard list. Open the risk assessment in the section, click the add hazard button (e.g. Add Vehicle). Section the text for the hazard you want removed and delete it. Click the save button.

 

Whys is risk assessment appearing off screen?
On Internet Explorer version 8 you need to enable compatibility view. To turn this on select the "Tools" menu and click on "Compatibility View".