Managing safety on a farm is incredibly important – there are wide-ranging implications if you have an accident.
Here’s what you can do to stay as safe as possible…
1. Being hit by a vehicle
Unfortunately people get hit by vehicles quite frequently – and sometimes they run themselves over.
Try to think about ‘safe stop’. When you get off a vehicle – switch it off, engage the handbrake and make sure all the controls are in neutral before you leave the vehicle.
Farmers can get complacent. They’re not used to people working near them. In a perfect situation, you would have marked walkways – but this isn’t always possible on-farm because of the nature of the ground.
However, you can have clear, safe ways of working in the shape of known walkways and no-go areas.
Hi-vis clothing, especially during winter, is incredibly important.
2. Falling from heights
Falling from heights happens quite frequently because some people don’t take the time to stop and think about the task.
If you stop and ensure you’ve got the right equipment, the right ladder – that’s it’s complete and not broken – and you plan the work, accidents could be reduced.
Ideally, you should be stopping to get the correct ‘at-height’ equipment. It might mean having to hire in a mobile work platform, or even a cherry picker.
When you do go to height it’s important to plan what you’re going to do and how you’re going to do it.
3. Power lines
Power lines should be mapped on your farm.
You should share that information with anyone who comes upon your farm – so they’re also aware of the locations.
During summer, a power line can drop by half a metre. So, equipment which fits underneath it during winter, quite often won’t during summer months.
If, in the unfortunate event that you do hit a power line, the actions that you take could save your life.
If you cannot drive away – stay where you are – unless it catches fire.
At that point, you must jump clear. NEVER come into contact with the ground whilst upon your machinery.
Jump clear and then bunny-hop away.
Source: FGinsight
