Hazards index
Hazards are anything that can cause harm and every place of work has them. Understanding the hazards at your work can help you manage risks and keep workers safe and healthy.
This information will help you identify the hazards at your work and the steps you can take to reduce or remove risks for yourself and your workers.
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All hazards
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Environment
Infection risks from work with sewage
Work with sewage can expose workers to infection risks. Learn how to manage the risks of infection from working with sewage.
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Environment
Lyngbya (blue-green algae)
Lyngbya majuscula is a toxic, blue-green algae that can cause severe irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory or gastrointestinal systems. Learn how to manage the risks.
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Environment; material
Animal handling
Farm animals can cause serious injury if not handled properly.
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Environment; hazardous manual tasks; material
Sheep handling and shearing
Sheep handling activities such as mustering, crutching, and shearing can put workers at risk of illness or injury. Find out about the risks involved in handling sheep and how to keep yourself and others safe.
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Environment; hazardous manual tasks; material
Pig handling
Pigs can cause serious injury if not handled properly. Learn about the risks involved in pig handling and how to keep yourself and others safe.
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Environment; hazardous manual tasks
Horse handling
Horses pose a significant safety risk and can cause serious injury if not handled properly. Find out about the risks of horse handling and how you can keep yourself and others safe.
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Hazardous chemicals
Phosphine gas
Phosphine is used to kill insects, mice, and rats in grain and seed storage, and it occurs as a by-product of some industrial manufacturing processes for chemicals, semi-conductors, welding, and metal alloys. It is dangerous to breathe in phosphine gas and you can become ill or die depending on the amount. Find out more about your legal obligations to manage phosphine gas exposure and how to keep workers safe.
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Hazardous manual tasks; plant, equipment and vehicle
Palletising including field palletising on harvest aids
Putting goods onto pallets makes it easier to transport and store them. Crops can be packed directly into pallets during harvest. Packing, unpacking, or and moving pallets has risks that can result in serious injury.
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Hazardous manual tasks; plant, equipment and vehicle
Farm vehicles and harvesters
Farm vehicles and harvesters are a major cause of death and serious injury to workers and family members, including children, on farms. Operators, passengers, and bystanders are all at risk.
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Environment; health and wellbeing; hazardous manual tasks
Fruit harvesting and packaging
Harvest is a busy time on a farm. With lots of ripe fruit ready to pick and pack and only a short time available to do the work, there can be lots of additional people and machinery at work. This presents a range of safety risks.