General Guidelines

Remember – these are working plantations – you are responsible for your own safety and enter at your own risk.

Access

• Entry to some areas of HVP land may be restricted due to safety, conservation or operational requirements.
• Be aware that permission to enter HVP land is automatically revoked on days of Total Fire Ban or during a HVP Forest Closure, or on a day when extreme weather is forecast such as gale force winds, hail storms, flooding or snow falls.
• You must show your induction record on request from HVP contractors or staff.

Behaviour
You are responsible for your own safety and those in your care and should consider the safety of others.

Directions
Follow directions displayed on signs and instructions from HVP staff and operators at all times.

Do

Use roads responsibly

• Drive at a safe speed on formed, gravel roads only.
• Ensure your vehicle is registered, in sound mechanical condition and free of noxious weeds, soil contaminants and leaking oil and fuel.
• Ensure drivers are licensed and everyone wears a seatbelt.
• Park safely away from streams and drainage lines without obstructing traffic flows or operations.
• Remember, these are working plantations – Watch out for log trucks and forestry operations. Observe road conditions and drive accordingly.
• If possible have a working UHF radio for communication and follow the Communications Protocol for HVP Land.

Protect the Environment

• Take all your litter (including cigarette butts) and rubbish home with you when you leave.
• Report any fuel leaks or oil spills.

Be aware of fire risk

• Be aware that permission to enter HVP land is automatically revoked on days of Total Fire Ban or during a HVP Forest Closure, or on a day when extreme weather is forecast such as gale force winds, hail storms, flooding or snow falls.
• Report any fire on or near HVP land to 000.

Follow general conditions

• Report all suspicious activity or dangerous behaviour.
• Wear and use appropriate protective equipment accepted as standard for your activity.
• Follow the accepted standard safe and reasonable operating procedures for your activity.
• Report near misses, incidents and all accidents to HVP.
• Note that surveillance cameras are installed throughout HVP land to ensure the safety and security of people and property.

Do not

DO NOT CAUSE FIRE RISK BY:

• Lighting a fire on HVP land, or
• Smoking in an HVP office, depot building or HVP vehicle.

DO NOT DAMAGE THE ENVIRONMENT BY:

• Destroying or removing any flora or fauna
• Letting toilet waste enter waterways, or
• Carrying chemicals or dangerous goods or anything which is lethal or dangerous to humans, flora or fauna.

Unauthorised activities

DO NOT CONDUCT ACTIVITIES YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO DO.

This visitor induction does not permit you to:

• Undertake motorised activities such as 4WD touring, motorbike riding or rally driving
• Cut or remove firewood
• Destroy or remove flora or fauna
• Shoot or hunt (carry or use firearms or projectile weapons)
• Light fires
• Camp or stay overnight
• Operate drones/UAV
• Build trails
• Conduct any organised group event or tour, or
• Access HVP land outside daylight hours (unless accompanied by an HVP employee or HVP contractor).

Life Protecting Rules

As part of HVP’s commitment to protecting the health and safety of HVP employees, contractors and visitors it has developed LIFE PROTECTING RULES which describe specific behaviours which if breached may put your life and the life of others at risk.

STOP and ACT on unsafe behaviour; if you observe a breach of a Life Protecting Rule you must take action immediately.

If you breach a Life Protecting Rule you may be asked to leave HVP land.

I will follow these life protecting rules;

• Always isolate energy sources before working on vehicles, plant and equipment.
• Never tamper with or override safety features on vehicles, plant or machinery.
• Always keep the required safe distance from hazardous operations.
• Always wear a seat belt when driving or operating a vehicle or machinery, where fitted.
• Never work under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Never use a hand-held mobile phone while driving a vehicle or operating machinery.

Forest Operation Worksites

Forest operations such as harvesting and delivery have specific controls in place to protect the safety of people who come in contact with them, and minimise any potential risks.

DO NOT ENTER A FORESTRY OPERATION WORKSITE WITHOUT THE SPECIFIC PERMISSION FROM THE FOREST OPERATORS VIA THEIR UHF RADIO CHANNEL

While on HVP land Visitors must abide by all the instructions detailed on any Operations Plan, including all controls listed on the Risk Assessment.

• These sites are designated on roadways with the use of safety signs.
• Stop at the designated signs, and obey all signage.
• Make contact with the operator using their designated radio channel (UHF radio). Do not proceed through worksite unless operator provides permission.
• While on the Work site Visitors must maintain communications on the contractor’s nominated channel. If a visitor is to be out of contact for any period of time, they must first advise the contractor, as to where they will be while out of contact.
• When leaving the Work site, or returning after a period out of contact, the visitor should advise the operator.

Warranty and Indemnity

The Visitor acknowledges that accessing HVP land may be dangerous and releases HVP its officers, employees, agents and contractors from, and agrees that HVP is not liable for, any liability, loss or Costs in connection with:

• the Visitor’s access to HVP land, including damage, loss, injury or death to any person or any thing (including in connection with theft or assault), except to the extent caused or contributed to by HVP’s gross negligence or default;
• anything HVP is permitted or required to do; or
• the Visitor’s access not complying with any law or the requirements of any authority.

You the Visitor indemnify HVP its officers, employees, agents and contractors against any action or demand, and agree to reimburse and compensate HVP for, any liability, loss, costs, arising from or in connection with any act, omission, negligence or default by you during your access to HVP land including in connection with liability under Part IVAA of the Wrongs Act 1958 (Vic) except to the extent that such action or demand is directly caused or contributed to by the default or gross negligence of HVP its officers, employees, agents and contractors.

The above conditions are for your safety and we appreciate your co-operation. Please enjoy your visit and remain safe.