Orientation, Health and Safety Document

Introduction

This document provides those arriving to attend seminars or to help on the farm at Pindari, and who will be unfamiliar with procedures and the local environment, with guidelines for their health and safety during their stay. It covers orientation, safety training and good hygiene procedures.

Both management and the visitors to Pindari have important roles and responsibilities for maintaining health and safety on the farm. At Pindari we especially understand and accept our responsibilities for the need for Duty of Care based on the Command of the Source to: Love one another and on the absoluteness of the universal law: What you do to others will be done to you. 

It is asked of any new arrival that they inform management of any communication difficulties such as language and or reading so that they are assured of being fully informed.

Orientation for new arrivals

Pindari Herb Farm is situated within a 20 hectare bush setting where we endeavour to live in harmony with one another and the local flora and fauna. It has been developed as a self reliant herb farm, having its own water supply and means of heating, and is mostly self-reliant in electrical power. Much of the food consumed is organically produced on the farm. 

Housing and facilities for growing and storing of foods and medicinal herbs have been built to use minimal energy and water.

Gates.

The gates at Pindari are built to restrict the entry of wild life to protect the gardens. The gates need to be kept firmly closed at all times and care should be used when opening and closing the gates where wire and tin over hangs are present.

Fires.

Pindari is situated in a bush setting with the incumbent risk of bush fires. There is a separate document detailing the fire prevention and safety procedures which will be distributed at relevant times during orientation meeting. All accommodation has smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, their position will be shown along with the marked fire escapes. The fire assembly points are the lawn adjacent to the kitchen in the main house and the car park to the north nearest the orchard at the Cottage. Three repeated rings of the bell is the fire alarm, this will be demonstrated.

Smoking.

Smoking is a major fire and health hazard and is not permitted in any building or in the presence of others. Should there be a need to smoke, use an open space away from others and any dry grass and the butt must be carefully and fully extinguished and placed in a suitable non-inflammable receptacle.

Water Usage.

Drinking and washing water comes from the roof collection of rain and is thus limited especially in summer and in times of drought. Only water from within the accommodation housing should be drunk. All outside taps are supplied by dam water which is not recommended for human consumption.

Showers should be limited to approximately 3 minutes duration. All hot water is from solar panels and wood heated fires and should be used minimally.

Water storage.

Storage of house water is in an enclosed concrete tank. This water is passed through fine stainless mesh filters before use. There are two earthen un-fenced dams that collect rain runoff from the property and are the source of water for the gardens. These dams have steep sides and at times deep water and should be avoided especially by children.

Electrical Power.

Whilst Pindari is connected to grid electrical power, it produces most of its power from solar panels and a wind generator. It is asked that the use of hair dryers and heaters etc. be avoided; if unsure please ask the management. Lighting should be used to a minimum.

Children.

All children should be supervised by an adult at all times, ensuring that they are kept away from the dams, the bush land and that they do not run around the garden paths.

Bush land.

Pindari is gifted with beautiful surrounding natural bush that is home to much local flora and fauna including poisonous snakes, spiders and ants that sting. There are also bee hives in the valley at the back of the farm near the chicken yard that need to be avoided. If snakes are seen please leave them alone by walking away. If seen close to housing, please immediately advise the management. 

Two spiders of note have bites that can cause ill health, these being the White tailed and the Red backed spiders which are identified accordingly and should be avoided. The large hairy legged Huntsman spider which is sometimes found in the housing is harmless and keeps the flies down, but for those concerned they will be removed by the management. Do not leave clothing or shoes outside over night and check them before using. If bitten contact the management immediately.

Pindari is a nature reserve with an abundant bird life. There is also a wild animal population including Tasmanian devils, Bandicouts and Wallabies. These may be seen in the early morning and at dusk.

Bush walks.

Visitors are encouraged to enjoy the surrounding bush but are asked to ensure they inform others of their intent and direction of walk. They should also wear suitable walking shoes and long leg cover particularly in mid summer to avoid grass seeds which can cause considerable discomfort.

Toilets.

There are toilets in most of the accommodation areas and they should be kept clean and used in a timely manner so as to minimally inconvenience others. Paper towel hand dispensers and a pump action soap dispenser are available for the washing and drying of hands. Universal hand washing procedures are posted along side the basin or paper towel dispenser, (Refer appendix A)

Ground under construction. (NO GO ZONES)

There are areas still being developed at Pindari and should be avoided. They will be clearly identified and shown during the orientation meeting.

Machinery.

Machinery such as the tractor is out of bounds and will only be used by the management and experienced, designated staff. 

Benji the dog.

Benji is in "charge" of the possum and rabbit management division and is very friendly and loves a pat. He also has a bad habit of putting his dirty front paws on you which can be avoided by strongly “turning your back” on him and speaking to the dog with the word NO! Do not attempt to take food alive or dead from him at any time.

Please do not feed the dog at any time and be careful to leave food well out of reach.

The Gardens.

The garden beds are mostly raised and walking on them is to be avoided as much as possible as it leads to compacted soil. The paths need to be walked along with care and running is dangerous. Look out for garden hoses that may trip you.

Hygiene.

Pindari is a functioning farm surrounded by animal and bird life. The removal of outside shoes when entering a house is required and house shoes should be used. Shoe exchange areas will be indicated.

The washing of hands after using the bathroom and after handling animal or vegetable material is a requirement. This ensures the reduction in the potential for the spread of infection and disease. Hand washing is especially required before preparing food stuffs, before eating and before working with medicinal herbs. Hand washing procedures to be implemented are detailed in appendix A in this document and are posted adjacent to the hand washing facilities.

Injuries.

All injuries should immediately be reported to the management no matter how small and an Injury Report Card filled out. There are first aid facilities in the main house and in the manufacturing room. 

Sunburn.

The Tasmanian sun readily burns because of the reduced ozone layer and the clean air. Thus long sleeves and a broad rimmed hat are required and need to be used. Pindari will make available a non-block-out more natural sun cream for those wishing for increased sun protection. 

Alcohol.

The consumption of alcohol outside of the tasting of samples of herb tinctures is not recommended.

Accommodation.

Those staying at Pindari will be introduced to the specific safety features for that accommodation area.

The use of all gas appliances requires critical attention to ensure that they are fully turned off after use. Wood heaters are to be used as instructed using minimal wood.

The use of a torch when traversing between the facilities at night is recommended.

Bell ringing – wake up, meal time and emergencies

There is an outside bell at the main house that is used as a means of communication for the residents of the farm:

• Repeated one ring - wake up or start of seminar for day.
• Repeated 2 rings - meal time.

·         Repeated 3 rings – emergency call for all to gather on lawn of main house in case of fire etc.

In any case of emergency, or the discovery of any hazard, direct and immediate contact should be made to the management at the main house.

The Conference room.

This room lies within and adjacent to the main medicinal herb gardens and is where the seminar participants gather. Being a single room, it has one entrance, a tiled floor and a wood fired heater. It is necessary to bring water from the main house for drinking and a kettle for making hot drinks is available. Care with the steps leading to the entrance is required and for night time use there is an external light with the switch just inside the room. 

The nearest toilet is either in the main house or the house next to it, being "La Casa."

The assembly point for this room in case of fire and other emergencies is the main lawn area adjacent to the main house kitchen.

The Main House.

This is the family home and the seminar kitchen and eating area. There is accommodation within this house for up to four people in a room adjacent to the kitchen area, with toilet and wash room facilities nearby.

Entrance to this house is via the two kitchen doors and the entrance next to the washroom. Entrance via the other doors is discouraged. This house has many exits and an open floor plan providing easy and safe exit at any time. 

The assembly point for this house in case of fire and other emergencies is the main lawn area adjacent to the kitchen.

La Casa 

This is the name given to the house adjacent to the main house. It contains three bedrooms each with three beds being a single and double bunk. There is a shared bathroom and toilet combined with a back up toilet and shower in the main house. There are three marked emergency exits being the back door in the kitchen and two front exits.

For this house, water comes from a header tank (provides water pressure) at the back of the house. It is filled via a tap (turned vertically) within a small enclosure in the cupboard space in the main passage. This tap should be turned on for around 5 -10 minutes each day to fill the tank. The tap should not be left on for any longer as it repeatedly activates the pump that consumes considerable electrical power.

The assembly point for this house in case of fire is the same as for the main house.

The Cottage

This self contained cottage lies 150 metres from the main house and is reached via the back gate past the chicken yards and composting area. This house has two bedrooms within the building, one containing a double and a single bed and the other, one single bed. There are two other single bedrooms accessed from the veranda. 

Fire exits are marked and are three in number being the sliding door out onto the deck to the east and down the stairs, the main entrance door under the pergola near the bathroom and the door accessing the front of the house adjacent to and opposite the entrance to the main bedroom.

In case of an emergency immediate contact should be made with management in the main house either by telephone (mobile) or by runner.

The assembly point for this house in case of fire is the road and parking area to the north-west of the main building near the orchard. All occupants should meet at this point and if safe, travel as a group to the main assembly area on the lawn in front of the kitchen at the main house.

Minimal use of the wood fire facility in the living room is encouraged and for hot water the wood stove in the kitchen needs to be lit, usually once a day to provide hot water for showers and kitchen washing. This house runs mostly on solar energy with all electrical usage and especially lighting needing to be kept to a minimum.

The Herb Processing Shed

The herbs harvested within the gardens and locally wild crafted are processed in the northern end of this 6 by 12 meter shed. It lies adjacent to the gate at the front entrance to the fenced gardens surrounding the main house. Within the shed lies the drying room where herbs are dried using heat generated from solar radiation on the roof with the heat being internally circulated via a ceiling fan. This area needs to be kept clean and dust free with the doors being kept shut to reduce heat loss and the entry of insect life. It is a no smoking zone with entrance and exit via the rolling door and the side sliding door.

The area adjacent to this door and along the side of the shed with the stainless steel bench and sinks is where the herbs are sorted, cleaned, washed and comminuted using a small three bladed chaff cutter. As this area is roofed but is external to the shed, it is subject to wind and dust and needs to be cleaned before use.

The harvesting of Herbs.

A steady focused mind is important when harvesting herbs so as to avoid injuries such as back strain, cuts etc. Watch out for bees and other insects that can sting and be aware of the potential for sunburn. When picking herbs either kneel or sit and if lifting, bend the knees. Have frequent rests and stretch back muscles. Do not lift anything that is too heavy or awkward. Ask for assistance.

The harvesting of herbs can be pleasurable, relaxing and even meditative and is a time when our closeness to nature can become apparent.

The Chaff Cutter

This essential piece of machinery is mounted on the end of the bench nearest the entrance. Instruction in its safe use will be provided and at no time is anything other than sensible and careful behavior permitted when it is in use. It has razor sharp blades for the clean cutting of plant material and its use requires great care and a focused steady mind. It should only be used in the presence of the attending supervisor.

The cutter is enclosed in a receptacle limiting the loss of herbal material and drying of the cut herb. This receptacle is also there as a safety feature and the cut herb should be removed by the carefully lowering the Perspex cover when the power is turned off. In case of emergencies there is an emergency stop button next to the power switch that when hit, instantly disconnects electrical power to the cutter.

The cleaning and washing of the cutter needs to be carried out only by the supervisor. This is achieved by using the spanner for removing the blade wheel and carefully washing it in the sink. The main frame of the cutter is either washed or brushed using the brushes hanging on the adjacent wall. 

This machinery is an important integral part of herb processing. It is an antique piece of machinery made of cast metal and is IRREPLACEABLE.

The Dispensary

This room lies on the north western side of the main house with its entrance from the veranda. It is a specialized room where the herbal medicines are both stored and dispensed. It should only be entered with clean hands and shoes and the door should be kept closed at all times to keep out insect life.

Respectful use of this room by seminar participants for viewing and learning is encouraged, with the request that the flower essence, homoeopathic and herbal products be not handled as they are easily contaminated.

There is only one entrance and no naked flames should be used in or near this room.

The Manufacturing Rooms

These two rooms are at the northern end of La Casa and are entered via the glass annex opposite the main house. Here the herbs are bottled, stored and pressed and topical products manufactured. The rooms are purpose designed with a large stainless sink and mobile stainless benches providing an area for good hygiene and manufacturing procedures.

There are two dry powder fire extinguishers available, one on the right hand side of the sink and the other in the passage way and there is a ready to use cold shower in the bathroom in the case of burns. The exit doors are the sliding and back doors, both are signed and lead directly outside the house. The emergency assembly point is the lawn to the east of the main house. 

Good Hygiene procedures.

It is important to ensure a high standard of hygiene and cleanliness, and to provide a useful training experience. Detailed below are the required procedures.

1.                   On entering the room via the sliding door, remove shoes and put on the "house" shoes.

2.                   Remove excessive clothing and don working shirt and remove or fix any lose clothing.

3.                   Proceed to the wash room and wash hands (as per appendix A to this document and displayed procedures at basins).

4.                   Use a clean piece of dry disposable paper towel on the door handles when returning to the manufacturing rooms.

5.                   On entering the rooms, discard the paper towel in one of the bins provided.

6.                   Remove two latex gloves from the wall mounted box and insert hands.

7.                   Apply the provided hair net.

8.                   Apply the provided face mask if required.

9.                   Apply the provided eye glasses if required.

Making Creams and Ointments Workshop.

The hygiene procedures should be applied as above. Instruction will be provided in the safe use of the gas cookers and includes no lose clothing and avoiding close contact with any flammable material such as cleaning cloths or alcoholic tinctures. The cookers should be turned off when not in use.

This workshop involves the use of boiling water and hot oils requiring care and attention in their handling and usage, sensible behavior is a must at all times. The safety procedures in the manufacturing of creams etc will be demonstrated and supervision will be present at all times.

Pressing of herbs.

Instruction in hygiene and safety procedures for both the hydraulic and screw press will be given along with correct labeling and the use of non-contaminating procedures. Care with the use of hydraulic press is needed and over enthusiastic use of the screw press is discouraged to avoid back or muscular strain. Correct and sensible use of both presses will be demonstrated.

 

 

 

Summary and Certificate.

This document should be read before or immediately on arrival at Pindari. Individualized instruction and orientation will also be provided according to the need and function of the visit. Please bring this document with you to the Seminar.

The management has provided this comprehensive Duty of Care Program as a part of its responsibility in providing a safe and healthy visit to Pindari. As the management also understands and believes that no insurance policy protects anyone from the absoluteness of the Source's: What you do to others will be done to you, every endeavour is made to ensure that you have a happy and healthy, injury free visit to Pindari.

We ask all attendees to exercise their own Duty of Care at all times and if any concerns arise, to advise the management immediately.

Pindari is a special place of peace and harmony and beauty and you are welcome and invited to join us in experiencing its ambience.

Ken and Giovi
Pindari Herb Farm
200 Norwich Drive , LONGFORD TAS 7250     Telephone (03) 6391 1799

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I………………………………………have read and understood the above Pindari OH&S document and will abide by its

content.

Signature of participant………………………………………….date………………….

Supervisor signature………………………………….……..date……………………

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Appendix A

Universal Precautions and Correct Hand Washing Procedures.

Washing hands when carried out thoroughly and correctly, is the most effective way of limiting the spread of all types of infection. Although hand washing is a straightforward procedure, many people fail to do it thoroughly enough to be effective.

Many are guilty of the quick rinse under a cold tap and rubbing our hands on our clothes or a regularly used hand towel as a means of drying of our hands. Some of us also use an old cracked bar of soap or one that sits in a soggy goo in the soap dish.

Even if we do take the time to wash our hands properly with warm water and soap, key areas around the finger tips and thumb tend to be inadequately covered (see diagram).

There is a need to understand the correct procedures and importance of hand washing.

• It should be performed before handling any foods for another or for your self.
• It should be performed before preparing, bottling or pressing medicinal herbs.
• Should especially be performed following any contact with bodily fluids or contaminated material and after using the toilet.
• It should be performed whether or not gloves are being worn.

Handwashing Procedure

1. Remove jewellery and watches
2. Thoroughly wet hands
3. Use liquid soap with running water
4. Wash hands vigorously including backs of hands, wrists, thumbs, between fingers, and forearms for a minimum of 15 seconds
5. Rinse hands well with running water
6. Thoroughly dry hands with a single use clean dry disposable paper towel
7. If hand controlled taps are used, turn the taps off with a paper towel
8. If lever taps are used, use your elbows to turn taps off
9. To open doors on return to work station, take a clean paper towel and use that on the door handles
10. Dispose of paper towel and apply gloves