Most people will have used the term “well feck me”. We normally use it in the context of experiencing a surprise or having had a close escape. Have you used it and how often? It’s what we say when we just had a close one.

The longer we live the more risk and potential accidents we encounter. It is a fact of life. We’ve all experienced them. We take risks, sometimes because they provide thrills. Travelling on top of a load of small square bales is a thrill but not when the load falls when in transit. Many have had encounters with angle grinders, welding, circular saws, electrical circuits and mechanical operations.

I recall a personal encounter with a chainsaw. I was so lucky and I got away unmarked. But many others are not so lucky. A momentary lapse in concentration – no excuses except that it was a long day and I was tired.

Unfortunately a lifetime in agriculture brings far too many stories of death and injury. All can be stated as unnecessary but the job has to be done and perceived risk is diminished by urgency. It is when we are under pressure to avail of the half chance that accidents are most likely.

One man I know will admit how lucky he was when his clothing got caught in a working PTO – he escaped without serious damage. Another friend escaped with his life having being mauled by his bull during a routine herd inspection in the field. A few extra moments to think might have avoided these two incidents but we can too easily bypass this need for caution before action.

Unfortunately hundreds of thousands of farmers did not get a second chance to exercise the wisdom of experience. But we can only use these examples to emphasise the need for caution in everything we do. It only takes a second to think safety – it takes the same length of time to get wrapped up in a PTO.

Even a dog in the cab of a tractor can do harm if the engine is running. How many accidents may have been caused by a dog or a child accidentally activating the PTO or the lift because they are moving about in the cab? Things have improved but not every tractor is new.

Take care. It is the most important thing in your life, or it will be if you don’t take it.