Visitor Induction Guidelines /
Terms and Conditions
Hancock Victorian Plantations Pty Limited and Grand Ridge Plantations Pty Ltd (collectively “HVP”) is committed to safety. The following terms and conditions are designed to help keep Visitors to HVP land safe.
It is a condition of entry to HVP land that Visitors agree to abide by these terms and conditions.
  1. Hours of Access
  • Visitors may access to HVP land during daylight hoursonly, on these terms and conditions.
  • To access HVP land outside daylight hours, Visitors must obtain HVP’s prior written authorisation.
  • HVP reserves the right, without cause or explanation to revoke permission to enter HVP land or specific areas of HVP land at any time.
  1. Behaviour
  2. All Visitors are expected to behave in a fashion mindful of their own, and others’ personal safety, and for the protection of the environment.
  3. Visitors must obey any reasonable instructions from HVP staff whilst on the HVP land.
  4. Signage
  • Directions displayed on signs must be observed.
  1. Road Usage
  • All vehicles must be driven at a safe speed on formed, gravel roads only.
  • Visitors must wear seatbelts in all vehicles.
  • Vehicles must be registered to drive on public roads and be of sound mechanical condition, free of noxious weeds, soil contaminants and free of leaking oil and fuel.
  • Drivers must be licensed.
  • Unattended vehicles must be parkedsafely and not obstruct traffic flows or operations and away from streams/drainage lines.
  • While driving on all roads within HVP land, Visitors must watch out for log trucks and forestry operations, be observant of road conditions and drive accordingly.
  • To assist in sharing the road safely we strongly encourage visiting vehicles to have a working UHF radio for communication and that Visitors follow the Communications Protocol for HVP Land (Item 10).
  1. Fire
  • The unauthorised lighting of fires on HVP land is prohibited at all times.
  • Permission to enter HVP land is automatically revoked on days of Total Fire Ban or on a HVP Forest Closure*, or on a day when extreme weather is forecast such as gale force winds, hail storms, flooding or snow falls.
  • All fires on or near HVP land during the fire danger periodmust be reported to 000.
  • Smoking is not permitted in HVP offices, depot buildings, or vehicles.
  1. Environmental
  • The unauthorised destruction or removal of any flora or fauna on HVP land is not permitted.
  • The unauthorised carrying of chemicals/dangerous goods is not permitted.
  • No unauthorised article, which in HVP’s opinion is lethal or dangerous to humans, flora or fauna is permitted on HVP Land.
  • No litter (including cigarette butts) or rubbish is to be left behind on HVP land.
  • Ensure Toilet wastes do not enter waterways.
  • Report fuel leaks/oil spills arising from visits whilst on HVP land.
  1. General Conditions
  • When undertaking activities on HVP land, the appropriate protective equipment, accepted as standard for that activity must be used.
  • The accepted standard safe operating procedures for the activity must be followed.
  • Report all suspicious activity or dangerous behaviour.
  • Near misses, incidents and all accidents should be reported to HVP.
  • No unauthorised firearms or projectile weapons may be carried or discharged on HVP land.
  • Surveillance cameras are installed throughout HVP land to ensure the safety and security of people and property.
  • The consumption of alcohol is prohibited on HVP land.

8. Activities not permitted on HVP Land without specific written authority

Activities which are not permitted on HVP land without specific written authorisation, include -:

  • Motorised activities including car rallies and car challenge events, or motorbike or motocross riding.
  • Driving of vehicles off formed roads, including 4WD tours or rallies.
  • Cutting or removing firewood.
  • Shooting or hunting.
  • Lighting of fires.
  • Camping
  • Any organised group event or tour.

9. Communication protocol

RATIONALE: A consistent approach to communications is required so everyone has the same expectation on entering HVP land.

It is important to reinforce the correct procedure for communicating your location when travelling along all haulage roads, or any roads marked with kilometre (km) markers, to ensure everyone’s safety.

The procedure you must use, driving a vehicle on HVP land is as follows:

and 28 within HVP land (Gippsland)
and 25 within HVP land (Northern)
and 13 within HVP land (Western)

1.UHF Radios must be on and tuned to channel 40 outside HVP land,

In some areas outside HVP land, signage will indicate a specified channel for that road site.

2.Contractors will have their own UHF channel for use on their sites (displayed using on-site signage).

Channel 28 (Gippsland)
Channel 25 (Northern)
Channel 13 (Western)

3.Vehicles must identify their entry to any HVP land on

4.All vehicles within HVP land should identify their location as they proceed, by frequently calling on the appropriate UHF channel at recognised points, which may be distance signs (km’s markers), or other road signs or landmarks.

“Empty” at …….. (Gippsland)
“IN” at ……. (Northern)
“IN” at ……. (Western)

5.Vehicles travelling into HVP land are to call

“LOADED” at ……… (Gippsland)
“OUT” at …….. (Northern)
“OUT” at ……. (Western)

6. And travelling out of HVP land, are to call

7.Respond to any calls from other vehicles travelling on the same road.

8.Call any hazards on route (inform appropriate person e.g. loader operator, office or next truck)

Language:

  • Use clear and concise language.
  • Avoid excessive use of the UHF radio that interferes with other users.
  • The UHF radio is a public facility and its use reflects on the forest industry, no offensive language, sexual references and discriminatory innuendos are to be used.

Please note that radios cannot be relied upon to know where all other vehicles are on the road. Radios enhance road safety but do not account for:

  • Unsafe driving.
  • Vehicles without UHF radios.
  • Radio blind spots where there is no radio transmission.

10.LIFE PROTECTING RULES.

HVP Plantations is committed to protecting the health and safety of HVP employees and contractors and visitors.

These LIFE PROTECTING RULES describe behaviour that 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.

11.Forest Operation Worksites

Forest operations 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 WORKSITE WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE OPERATORS (UHF RADIO)

While on HVP land Visitors must abide by all the instructions detailed on any WorkSite 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.
  • When attempting to call the operator, if there is no response after 2 attempts, proceed with caution into the site. If any sign of operations are present, stop and attempt to contact operator again, and only proceed if safe.
  • 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 contractor.

12.Warranty and Indemnity

  • The Visitor acknowledges that accessing HVP land for a recreational activity may be dangerous and warrants that HVP, its employees, directors and agents are not liable to the Visitor, its dependants or legal representatives for any personal or property damage suffered by the Visitor.
  • The Visitor indemnifies and agrees to keep HVP, its officers, employees, agents and contractors indemnified against all loss, damage, injury or expense HVP may sustain or incur as a result, whether directly or indirectly of the Visitor’s access to HVP land.

The above conditions are for your safety and we appreciate your co-operation.

Please enjoy your visit and remain safe.

HVP will collect and maintain information about you in accordance with our privacy policy found at

I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the Visitor Induction Guideline conditions.

Inductee Name:
Inductee Signature: / Date
Email:
Address:
Contact Numbers: / Mobile / Other
Plantation: (eg Petticoat, Ballarat) / Vehicle Registration Number
Activity undertaken: / (eg, daily walks with dog evenings)

*HVP Forest Closure: On days of extreme weather conditions HVP closes the forest for periods of time, to minimise the risk of fire and keep people safe.

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