Farm safety
Here are a number of common farm hazards and some suggestions at minimising the associated risks
These tips are intended as a general guide – contact your risk management adviser for specific advice on how to minimise the risks your farm may be exposed to.
Safety around machinery
- Ensure all power take-off shafts are adequately guarded
- Tractors must be properly maintained with cabs or safety frames fitted to OECD standard. Always remember to have the hand brake on and cab locked when not in use
- Ensure all vehicles and trailers have mirrors, lights and indicators in good working order
- Ensure any chain saws are fitted with a chain brake, safety chain, chain catcher, chain breakage guard and safety throttle
- Work safely with pressurised hydraulic oils
Safety with livestock
- Proper and regular maintenance of cattle handling units, cattle crushes and holding pens is essential
- Bulls to be ringed and the ring regularly inspected
- Make sure holding fields for dangerous animals are securely fenced off
Children’s safety
- Do not carry children as passengers on attachments or trailers
- Keep slurry pits covered
- Keep chemicals and pesticides safely stored
- Children are involved in one third of all accidents, so educate them on safety and regularly reinforce that message
Slurry pits
- Make sure everyone on your farm is aware of the hazards of the slurry pit, including the production of dangerous gases such as hydrogen sulphide and ammonia
- High levels of ventilation during agitation are vital
- Only undertake agitation of the pit with two people present, if possible
- Always avoid naked flames near pits
Farm health hazards
- Asthma or ‘Farmers' Lung’ can be caused by close work to spores, moulds and organic dusts, so wear a dust mask
- Leptospirosis can be caused by contact with stagnant water containing rats’ urine; symptoms are similar to a very bad attack of flu
- Brucellosis outbreaks still occur – always take precautions around infected animals
- Lyme disease can be transferred to humans by tick bites; keep arms and legs covered where possible and be alert to irritations and bites
Electrical Safety
- All wiring and electrical installations must comply with the government regulations
- Avoid temporary repairs by untrained people
- Watch out for incorrectly installed fuses, loose plug tops, faulty equipment and frayed cables
- Safe work procedures are essential near high voltage overhead lines. Fit RCDs with 30mA setting on all 220 and 380v socket circuits. Regular testing is important
