With the dry, sunny weather continuing, farmers across Northern Ireland are busy mowing, cutting and drawing grass. Silage season can create time pressures and the Ulster Farmers’ Union is urging farmers to work safely and make their health and wellbeing a priority.
According to the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI), farm equipment is involved in more than one in three farm-related deaths. These machines are also involved in many accidents which result in life-changing injuries such as the loss of a limb.
Modern tractors, telehandlers and other equipment have given farmers the ability to work more quickly and efficiently. But this machinery brings new dangers.
Equipment safety checklist
Always:
- Keep all guards in place on tractors and equipment.
- Ensure PTO shafts are fully guarded (O-guard, U-guard and shaft) and the safety chain is attached.
- Make sure that all mirrors and cameras (if fitted) are clean and fully functional on tractors and telescopic handlers.
- Keep all windows clean and make sure you check all round before carrying out any manoeuvre.
- Ensure you have good all-round visibility on tractors and telehandlers.
- When pulling heavy machinery equipped with hydraulic brakes, make sure the brakes are connected to the tractor and work properly.
- Keep the brakes on all your machines properly maintained, especially the parking brakes.
- Operate tractors with enclosed safety cabs or roll bars.
- Take care when mounting or dismounting tractors or telehandlers.
- Only start your tractor from the driver’s seat and make sure that your tractor’s starter system works properly.
- Check all hitches and linkages to ensure they are not worn or damaged.
- Make sure equipment is stopped fully before clearing blockages, which need to be cleared by hand.
Never
- Attempt to repair machinery if you do not have the correct tools and equipment and are not competent to do so.
- Run a tractor down a slope to start it.
- Check hydraulic pipes for leaks by running your finger along them while they are connected and under pressure.
- Work underneath a raised load or implement unless it is adequately propped.
- Work near overhead power lines when tipping trailers or using high-reaching machinery.
