Farm Safety

red_diesel

Interesting article in the Farming Indo here
I'm always amazed at how unsafe it is to attach an implement to a tractor. I have a fairly modern tractor and a new manure spreader. To properly attach the spreader I need to get right in between the arms on the tractor to attach the PTO. Its extremely unsafe. I just think when these items are being designed and engineered safety is a minor concern. PTO's - how hard is it to pull the ring back to get it on the shaft sometimes?? I'm only a part timer so I can only imagine the safety challenges some of the bigger guys come across. And thats before we even mention livestock.
Are we, farmers taking safety seriously enough? Are the sector stakeholders - machinery manufacturers, Department, IFA etc, taking this issue seriously enough?

Grueller

Lip service only being paid to it in my opinion. The only answer the government will have is increased inspections and increased paperwork in the form of farm safety audits and paperwork. Problem with all of these is that they are only a paper exercise.
Small margins are also a big factor in my opinion. I have reasonably good calving and handling facilities. They could be better, but at the cost of upgrading them and the low nature of farm incomes, I simply cannot find the cash to spend on them.
Another big factor is the age profile of farmers. I know of two elderly farmers here who were killed on farm in recent years, both accidents would not have happened to a more able bodied man. The other side of this is kids actually living in the middle of a busy workplace.
The part time nature of beef farming and minimal handling of animals, allied to continental breeding is leading to mental livestock too.
Can I see any solution? Unfortunately for a large number of farms I can't. A realistic tams structure would be a help. One where you are not left unpaid for months and months.
A proper retirement incentive would also be a help. The scheme that was out about 15 years ago was a great help in expediting farm transfers.
Easy know I am stuck in a conference today. Believe it or not, about occupational health and safety. In office settings. Sit up straight and lift from the knees.

Biscuitus

Farm Safety is a huge problem in Ireland, main reason being so many are clueless to the dangers on their farm, be it livestock, slurry, machinery or buildings.

I keep a very strict farm to reduce any chance of accidents. Safety notices and locks on all road gates. Family and workers are warned when slurry is being agitated or spread. Proper calving and handling facilities with a strict routine for letting animals in or out. Tractor off and handbrake on when going at the PTO or cleaning machinery. The PTO design on most machinery is terrible as mentioned above. Angry cows I make sure to keep 3+ metres distance at all times making sure to never turn my back and also never take my eye off the bull.

The farmers journal should make much more of an effort to write articles or include pull out sections about safety but I imagine the majority of farmers would throw it in the bin without a glance. We are a stubborn lot.

Farmer_3650

Just with regards safety around the PTO, when I was younger we had a Ford 7810. It was a nice tractor but we had a problem with the PTO. When you went to turn off the PTO, it would work most of the time but the odd time it would either stay on or turn off and turn back on. My father used to tell me don't go near the PTO unless the tractor is off. Ever since I turn off the tractor when attaching/detaching a PTO shaft. It takes a few seconds longer but it could save your life and I think it's something that everyone should do.

red_diesel

I just saw a video on Farmireland on Facebook of a lad pucking a ball off a slurry spreader that's spreading and driven by a driverless tractor! I know it's a bit of craic but it's unbelievably stupid and dangerous.

lakill Farm

Farmer_3650 wrote: »

Just with regards safety around the PTO, when I was younger we had a Ford 7810. It was a nice tractor but we had a problem with the PTO. When you went to turn off the PTO, it would work most of the time but the odd time it would either stay on or turn off and turn back on. My father used to tell me don't go near the PTO unless the tractor is off. Ever since I turn off the tractor when attaching/detaching a PTO shaft. It takes a few seconds longer but it could save your life and I think it's something that everyone should do.

if I turn off the tractor the lift arms go down and it is often twice as hard to attach the PTO

Im slowly putting A frame on attachments here especially awkward items. bust a finger last year. 2 weeks out of work 4 medically appointments , no farming for a few weeks. finger broke in 2 places and 12 stitches taking off the fert spreader. I was lucky I didn't loose the top of my finger. First accident in 7 years farming here and 8 years working as a student

_Brian

Not that it's much reassurance but the stats in Brittan aren't much better, it's also their most dangerous industry too.

I agree that more could be done regarding design and supports.

But.

It's at the farm gate that the responsibility is handed over to the farmer in how equipment is used, miss used and huge risks taken.

Farmers or allot of farmers approach work with no regard for safety at all, they rarely stand back for 1 minute and ask themselves "how could this go wrong" and what can be done to minimise risk to man and machine.