The safety of our WWOOFers is a major requirement.  WWOOFers should be given the highest level of protection against harm to their health and safety as is reasonably practicable. We need host  participation and leadership in order to eliminate or minimise risks against harm to their health and safety during the WWOOF exchange.

The Health and Safety At Work Act 2015 (HSWA) provides information and tools and directs readers to where they can find guidance on how to not only protect WWOOFers against harm, but also meet regulatory requirements.  For more information about the Act or for advice on specific hazards,  please go to http://www.business.govt.nz/worksafe

For safe WWOOF farms we recommend:
1. Identify hazards on your farm
2. Protect people from the hazards
3. Educate every new visitor about the hazards

For Step 1:  Identify hazards on your farm: We recommend you make a list of hazards on your property. An example of what this could look like is below:
WWOOF Risk Register Example

You can download a blank copy of this form. Complete this by filling in details specific to your farm. العب بلاك جاك

For Step 2: Protect people from the hazards: Ideally this means remove the hazard altogether, for example, don’t allow any access to chainsaws. If a hazard can not be removed then it should be isolated or minimised. This means using the appropriate safety guards, eye protection, helmets, earmuffs etc. An important part of this is also qualifications and experience. دانيل الفيش If someone has no experience in placing and climbing a ladder then this will be far more hazardous than someone who can show they have been using ladders in previous situations. بصرة كوتشينة

For Step 3. Educate every new visitor about the hazards: Someone new to your property will not be familiar with your environment and hazards may not be immediately obvious. A good way to raise awareness is to go through a quick checklist about your property. An example of what this could look like is below:

WWOOF HSWA Checklist

WWOOF HSWA Checklist

You can download a blank PDF of this form. If you would like to edit the form you can download a blank Excel File of this form.  Print a copy of the form and go through it with each new WWOOFer.

If you need help with managing specific hazards on your property or have any questions you can also contact WorkSafe directly via info@worksafe.govt.nz or 0800 030 040!