As part of the 2020-2023 Farm Safety Action Plan, the Farm Safety Partnership will concentrate on four specific ‘Farm Safe Essentials’, aimed to reduce the number of serious and fatal incidents relating to frequently recurring causes.
The UFU encourages farmers to always stop and think before carrying out work on the farm to make sure they are doing so in the safest way possible. The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) has lots of guidance on farm safety online (www.hseni.go.uk) and have created four Farm Safe Essentials listed below, which flags key dangers and advice on how to stay safe.
Check your brakes
No brakes, no chance. Faulty brakes or not applying them properly are still killing people on our farms. A regular safety check and good maintenance will keep everyone safe.
Plan safe spaces
Don’t be caught out by bulls. Attacks by bulls are still one of the most common causes of deaths on farms. Always ensure you plan a safe space.
Give slurry space
Slurry gas: One breath can kill. Follow the slurry code (can be found on the HSENI website) and stay out of the shed for at least 30 minutes after mixing starts.
Stay off roofs
Don’t let roofs be your downfall. Falls from height and through fragile roofs continue to kill and seriously injure our farmers. Always ensure you have properly trained people and the right equipment for carrying out roof work on the farm.
Quads need caution
When using an All-Terrain vehicle or quad for farm work you must be adequately trained. It is vital that anyone using a quad is within the manufacturers recommended age range, the minimum age for use of a farm type quad is usually 16 years old. If driving a quad on the public road you must have a driving licence, appropriate insurance and road tax and the quad must be in a roadworthy condition.
