Agitation is the time when harmful gases are released in to the open
Drowning and gas poisoning are the two major health and safety problems when it comes to slurry.
Drowning is the most common cause of death, but one lungful of slurry gas can kill and death is instant, according to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).
In the period 2000-2010, 30% of child fatal accidents on farms were caused by drowning in slurry or water, its figures show.
In the same period 8% of deaths to elderly farmers were caused by drowning.
When agitating slurry, it is advised that these guidelines are followed:
- Agitate on windy days.
- Remove all livestock and remove pets.
- Open all doors and control access.
- Agitate/ventilate and stay away for at least 30 minutes.
- Work upwind all the time.
- Never enter the tank, even when it is empty.
- Keep tank openings secure at all times.
- If possible avoid agitating alone.
Even slurry application depends on accurate driving avoiding under- and overlapping between bouts
The HSA states that you should never enter a tank for any reason – gases can build up and remain in partially emptied tanks above the slurry.
Farmers should also put up warning signs to warn of the dangers when working with slurry.
When agitating slurry, the advice is to guard the PTO on the slurry tanker and agitator – do not use unless correctly guarded.
A high proportion of PTO entanglements occur when using slurry tankers, according to the HSA.
When the tank has to be emptied, the HSA has said to consider having an adequately constructed access platform with safety rails.
Covered or slatted tanks require access manholes that children cannot open easily.
Fit a safety grid below the manhole to give secondary protection and all slurry tanks should be adequately fenced, the HSA said.
(Source – Agriland – Amy Forde – 27/12/2015)
Northern Ireland Farmers Reminded About Slurry Regulation Changes
New regulations concerning the export of slurry and changes to nitrogen loading levels on farms due to loss of conacre have been flagged up today by the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU).
Records of slurry exports must be submitted to NIEA by 31 January for the previous calendar year
The reviewed Nitrates Action Programme for 2015-2018 came into effect on 1 January last year and now requires farmers to summit records of exports of organic manures to the Northern
Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) by 31 January for the previous calendar year.
NIEA have said that failure to do this will mean that organic manure export records will not be taken into consideration when calculating nitrogen loading. This could then put a farm over the maximum limit of 170 kg/ha which will lead to penalties.
Records of exports must include the date of movement, type of livestock manure, quantity of manure in tonnes or cubic metres, the transporter’s name and address, and the importers name and the importer’s business ID or else the importer’s address and signature.
Under the previous Nitrates Action Programme from 2011-2014, a record of all organic manure exports off the farm only had to be recorded and available during an inspection.
In a statement reminding farmers of the changes, the UFU also highlighted that some farmers may have a higher nitrogen loading this year due to loss of rented land due to the new CAP scheme. This means that farm businesses need to calculate nitrogen loading carefully in case it puts them over the 170 kg/ha limit.
(Source – Irish Farmers Journal – Peter Mc Cann – 14/01/2016)
Measuring the width of the spread from the splash plate is part of the calibration process
Wet Weather Means Slurry Spreading Not An Option For Most As Restriction Lifts