Health and and safety advisors Liam Higgins and Paddy Ahern have some useful tips on making your farm a safety working environment.*
Health and safety advisers Liam Higgins and Paddy Ahern
Newbridge IFA in Co Galway recently invited health and safety advisers Paddy Ahern and Liam Higgins to give a briefing on the subject.
Both men made it clear to the farmers in attendance that getting health and safety right doesn’t always have to cost a lot of money.
“Many changes can result from a better way of thinking,” said Paddy. Both Paddy and Liam agreed that the first impression they get on entering a yard is generally a true reflection of the farm.
“Farmers over the age of 65 account for around 25% of farm fatalities each year,” said Paddy. When analysed these deaths have generally come under two categories – trapped by machinery or attacked by livestock.
Padd warned that farms are a very dangerous place for young kids and they should not be used as a playground. It is very important that gardens are sufficiently fenced so young children cannot gain unsupervised access.
“There is practically no other workplace where people live and work in the same area. you can’t walk up to the industrial factories and expect to get in, but farm yards are generally open,” said Paddy.
“When the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) call out to a farm one of the most important recommendations on their list is to ensure that all gates are hanging and swinging properly.”
The duo also comment that all farms can benefit from a strange pair of eyes looking at health and safety concerns on their farm. “Problems that you see everyday are not always obvious,” said Paddy. He analysed the following danger areas”
MACHINERY
“Machinery must always be maintained, serviced and fit for purpose. If a tractor was originally fitted with windows and doors they should remain in place as tehy were put there for a reason.
“Although PTO shafts leave a lot to be desired in terms of quality and durability, there’s no reason why they should not be kept in working order.
“It’s no good to have ATV helmets gathering dust in a shed, they must be worn.”
He advised parents to wear a helmet as this will encourage children to do so. “Consistent behaviour on our behalf will lead to responsible behaviour on their behalf.”
LIVESTOCK
“Good handling facilities are crucial when working with livestock. This allow the work be completed as safely as possible.
“Earmark aggressive cows at calving. I know a lot of money and breeding can go into these cows but if she was aggressive this year more than likely she will be aggressive next year.
“When not running with the cows the stock bull should be kept in a paddock or a shed where they don’t have to be moved too often.”
SLURRY
“All slurry storage areas must be well protected. One of the most common problems I find on farms is ladders left attached to over-ground slurry stores.”
He warned farmers of the poisonous gases released during agitation and advised farmers to have the shed ventilated.
“Neither the farmer or the stock should be in the shed while the slurry is being agitated.”
CHEMICALS
“Chemicals should be stored in a designated lockable area which should preferably be bunded ie spillages retained. They must always be stored in their original conatiners so there is not a mix-up.
“The label contains information that may be required in an emergency. You must also have a chart on the wall explaining how much and where it was used. Our skin absorbs chemicals so rubber gloves should be worn to act as a barrier.”
ELECTRICITY
“If you have a temporary system of getting power on an ongoing basis, install a permanent system. I regularly see electric cables running across yards – they are not designed for that. Get an electrician to check and certify all electrical wiring.”
LEGISLATION
“All farms must have a farm safety plan filled out and farms with three or more employees must fill out a code of practice.
“Farm safety must be renewed once a year or when there is a change on the farm eg a new building.”
*This article was first published by the Irish Farmers Journal on 7 May 2011. It is being re-produced here as part of our coverage of National Farm Safety Day.
(Source – Irish Farmers Journal – 21/07/2014)
Slurry Safety – Empty, Ventilate, Agitate
Slurry Gases Can Kill.
Great care is needed when agitating slurry. Slow down — stop and think before you start to agitate.
Remember three words: Empty, ventilate, and agitate. They could save your life.
Slurry tank
Empty slatted sheds of all persons and livestock before starting. Then get out yourself.
No children, visitors or pensioners should be in the farmyard during agitation or slurry spreading.
Open all doors and shutters fully in order to ventilate the shed.
Never enter a shed or allow anybody to enter a shed when slurry is being agitated.
Stay clear of agitation points or open hatches at all times while you agitate.
Close the safety grille during slurry suction.
Remember to ensure you shut down the agitation point after each use.
Other considerations before agitating:
Ensure slurry is agitated only on a breezy day — when leaves rustle in the trees.
Keep out of the slatted shed being agitated for 30 minutes after starting, because there are high gas levels when the crust is broken after beginning agitation.
Ensure the gas monitor is put in place and activated, if available.
Ensure all personnel have evacuated the adjacent housing area.
Ensure nobody enters the housing area or adjoining sheds during agitation.
At least two people should work at the agitation, observing each other at all times.
All machinery safety precautions will be observed.
Avoid naked lights from matches, cigarette lighters, during agitation.
Slurry should be emptied from the tank before it gets to within 30cm of the slats, if possible.
Children at Risk on Farms
With silage harvesting and slurry spreading being carried out on most farms, and autumn reseeding, spraying, and crop harvesting all to come, the risk to children’s safety is greatly increased, because these machinery operations coincide with the summer school holidays.
Children are naturally curious and inquisitive.
They like to examine and play around tractors and machinery that is new to them.
Farms are full of heavy machinery (tractors, slurry tankers, etc). It is crucial to ensure that children are supervised by parents and are kept out of harm’s way.
Providing a secure, safe play area where children can be seen at all times and will not wander from is hugely important.
Tractors and machinery are among the leading causes of accidents on farms. Parents need to make sure children are kept safe from these and the other hazards on farms.
Summer is a particularly dangerous time on farms, and adults need to be constantly vigilant, making sure children are supervised and making sure they are aware of any danger or risk.
Parents’ attitude towards farm safety has a huge bearing on a child’s perception of danger or risk. Warning children of dangers in a positive way, while limiting exposure to the dangers, is the best approach. There is no point in been too forbidding.
Children facing risks is inevitable; it is part of growing up.
The key is for the parent to limit a child’s exposure to the danger, while highlighting the danger to the child.
Children should be kept away from farmyards and supervised while machinery operations such as silage harvesting, slurry agitation, and spreading are taking place.
(Source – Irish Examiner – Anthony O’ Connor and Tim Hyde, Teagasc – 24/07/2014)