Matrix
Safety Risk Assessment Form
Matuku
This form must be distributed to all persons named in the Owner column, where possible both as a hard copy and electronically
Project/Event:
Bethells Willow spraying at Matuku
Date: 10 January 2026
Assessor(s):
D. Hall
Department/Area:
Phylogeny RPA
Controls
Residual Risk
Hazards
Risk before control Describe controls used to reduce risk to a tolerable
after control
e.g. personal
measures
or preferably acceptable rating
measures
injury, electric
shock, people or
Risk
Owner
Activity
objects falling
control /
Person
Describe the activity and the ways in
from height,
acceptance responsible for
which it could pose a risk
Likeli -
Likeli -
crushing
Persons at risk Severity hood
SxL
Severity
hood
SxL
actions
the controls
Aircraft - Military zone
Air traffic
Pilots
4
2
8
Notam and all necessary applications before flight
4
1
4
Reduce /
D.Hall
1
incident
Acceptable
Staff/personnel on pontoon in water. Varying Falling into water Staff/personnel
4
3
12
Staff equipped with manual floatation device, all staff can
5
1
5
Reduce /
D.Hall
2
water depths. Submerged branches and root
swim minimum 50m. Buddy system in or on water.
Acceptable
structure.
Personnel in visual line of site.
Chemical spillage whilst filling tanks.
loading spill
Staff/personnel
3
3
9
Staff/personnel trained in loading procedures. Filling
1
2
2
Reduce /
D.Hall
3
in loading zone
over spill trays. PPE worn. First Aid kits on site. Eye wash
Acceptable
area.
facilities on site. Spill kits on site.
Hazardous substance spill - possible injury
Spill
Staff/personnel.
4
3
12
All Substances are low toxicity and stored correctly.
2
2
4
Reduce /
D.Hall
due to contact with 2s and/ or inhalation of
Substances located in a suitable area to contain any spills
Acceptable
fumes.
Safety Data Sheets available. First Aid kits on site. Eye
4
wash facilities on site. Spill kits on site. Spill procedure
documented. Emergency services if necessary.
Increased risk due to the pilot being
Pilot Distraction
Pilot and
4
4
16
Devices for non-operational purposes to be turned off or
3
2
5
Reduce /
D.Hall
distracted by public, client or personal
observer
stowed in vehicle. Barricades in use. Observer to shield
Acceptable
devices.
the pilot from interruption during flights - especially from
5
the client &/or public.
1
Matrix
Low flying requires an extreme level of
Increased risk
Pilot and Staff /
3
3
12
Pilot trained, approved and authorised for operation.
2
2
4
Reduce /
D.Hall
concentration that can increase the rate of
due to low flying. personnel &
Pilot subject to random drug and alcohol checking. Pilot
Acceptable
fatigue. Low level equates to no safety zone
observers
to familiarise themselves with local landmarks and
should a mechanical failure occur.
hazards. Pilot to use spotter/observer/ground crew to
assist with depth of field and proximity to trees and /or
6
structures. Telemetry information must, as minimum,
indicate altitude above ground (always take off location)
and distance from pilot. Multiple pilot operations
authorised.
Risk associated with misinformed safety
spray non-target, Pilot and Staff /
3
3
9
Compliance with Standard Operating Procedures. Safety
2
2
4
Reduce /
D.Hall /
briefing and/or not following the safety
spray across
personnel &
Plans detail safety briefing agenda. Ground crew to
Acceptable
Annalily
briefing procedure. Critical items might be
boundary, use
client,
ensure safety briefing is completed correctly and all
missed -eg: Permissions being signed off.
wrong chemical
neighbours,
personnel to have signed safety briefing. Exclusion zones
7
Spray drift buffers agreed to No
observers
verified. Client declaration signed off by client/customer.
Spray/exclusion zones Local hazards &
Any sensitive neighbours to be notified by Matuku
mitigations, Safety roles clarified.
Chemical Drift Across Designated Boundaries Spray drift
Neighbours
3
3
9
Compliance with local regulations. Spray buffer zone
2
2
4
Reduce /
D.Hall
& roof tops.
Waterways
protocol in place. Notification to neighbours for all spray
Acceptable
operations. Flight path configured with setbacks from
buildings, sensitive areas, streams, boundaries etc. Use of
the correct nozzle setting. CDA nozzles (Controlled
8
Droplet Application. ultra-low volume spray, drastically
reduce drift, water usage & chemical runoff). Wind watch
- direction and strength monitored throughout spray
operation. Spray using optimum methodology to suit
wind direction wherever possible. As necessary - have an
observer on the boundary to verify actual drift.
Fatigue - risk due to pilot judgement being
Fatigue
Pilot, Ground
3
3
9
Fatigue prevention procedures in place to ensure
2
2
4
Reduce /
D.Hall
impaired due to being overtired or otherwise
personnel and
adequate rest periods and days off. Flight times recorded
Acceptable
fatigued. Heat and PPE can lead to a more
client.
and monitored. Pilots fly in accordance with IMSAFE
rapid onset of fatigue and pressure to "carry
protocol at all times. Personnel to monitor each other for
9
on" can lead to over tiredness and fatigue.
fatigue. If feeling tired, the pilot has authority to end the
operation.
2
Matrix
Risk associated with the site of the operation. RPAS collision
Pilot, Ground
4
3
12
Specific safety plan required for all operations - includes a
2
2
4
Isolate /
D.Hall
Proximity to wires, terrain tall trees / objects
personnel and
safety briefing to identify local hazards and agreement on
Acceptable
/ buildings etc. Heighten risk of RPAS striking
client.
mitigations prior to commencing the operation. Site
objects.
evaluation of local hazards is mandatory. Notification to
neighbours for all spray operations. Special permissions
10
to be obtained as required. Third party risk to be
identified and minimised. Site to be protected and/or
patrolled as necessary. Appropriated insurance cover to
be in place. Pilot authorised to call off the operation at
any time for safety reasons.
Public interference / interaction - Increased
Ground crew
All personnel and
3
3
9
Staff / personnel not to use personal cell phones or other
2
2
4
Reduce /
D.Hall
risk due to ground staff/ personnel being
Distraction
Equipment
devices not required for operations that can distract them
Acceptable
distracted during loading and / or the flight
during flight operations. Personnel encouraged to
11
operation.
monitor each other. Personnel to watch out for each
other. Personnel authorised to cease work if impaired or
others pose a safety risk to.
Lifting heavy items - personal injury due to
Strains
Company
3
3
9
Staff/ personnel to use correct lifting techniques. Staff/
1
1
1
Reduce /
D.Hall
overreaching, twisting, or incorrect
personnel
personnel not to lift heavy objects on their own.
Acceptable
12
techniques while lifting heavy objects.
On site - Possible loss of facilities, RPAS and
Fire
Company
4
3
12
Heightened level of awareness amongst personnel in high
4
2
8
Tolerable
D.Hall
injury from burns and smoke inhalation.
personnel, client,
risk areas. Evacuation procedures in place. Availability of
13
public
fire extinguishers.Emergency services if required.
14
15
16
17
18
19
co
3
Matrix
Risk Scoring Key
Severity
Likelihood
Fatality
5
Certain or imminent
5
Major injury, disabling illness, major damage 4
Very likely
4
Lost time injury, illness, damage
3
May happen
3
Minor injury, minor damage
2
Unlikely
2
Delay only
1
Very unlikely
1
Risk Rating Categories
10 to 25
Unacceptable
Do not proceed; seek immediate guidance from the safety team
6 to 9
Tolerable
Proceed with caution but seek to reduce risk further if possible
1 to 5
Acceptable
Proceed
Order of Control Measures
Most effective
Eliminate
Ask yourself if the activity needs to be carried out
Substitute
Ask yourself if the same effect can be achieved with something less risky
Reduce
Ask yourself if you can use less of something, or limit the time etc
Isolate
Make sure that the risk is contained to the smallest possible area
Enclose
Make sure that no-one can get to the hazard
Other Engineering ControlsEmergency stop buttons, automated controls etc
Safe System of Work
Carry out the work according to a specific step by step programme with training
Training/Communication Safety team can advise
PPE
Use of ear defenders,gloves, hard hat, floatation device.
Least effective Discipline and EnforcementTelling people to be careful
4
