Teagasc has urged farmers to take measures to make sure their farmyards are designed and maintained with safety in mind.

It comes as the authority has placed a strong focus on safe farmyard design during farm safety week with a number of free on-farm events taking place across the country.

Teagasc farm buildings and infrastructure specialist Tom Fallon said farmyards must be functional for livestock and crop enterprises, but they must also facilitate safe efficient movement of people, livestock and farm machinery.

“Teagasc advisers across the country are highly trained to help farmers maximise the efficiency and safety of their farmyards,” he said.

“Teagasc advisers seek to help each individual farmer with decisions around development of their farmyard in the short and longer term to improve work routines, labour efficiency and safety.”

Grants

The accelerated capital allowances for farm safety scheme allows farmers to write off 50% of the cost of eligible equipment each year over two years, instead of the standard eight years.

The list of eligible equipment under this scheme was expanded this year to include fixed livestock handling units, flood lights, livestock monitors and sliding or roller doors.

For cattle farmers, cattle crushes, races, and calving gates are also eligible for the capital allowances.

Francis Bligh, Teagasc health and safety specialist added: “The accelerated capital allowance scheme complements the 60% grant aid which is available under the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, (DAFM) Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes (TAMS 3) for safety-related investments.

“Good facilities have a direct positive impact on safety and efficient management of the farm.”

General tips

Regular risk assessment will help to identify potential high-risk areas and activities. Good communication among everyone working on the farm will help encourage open conversations about risks to ensure they are identified and resolved.

The farmyard can be close to the farm household. It is important that there is clear separation of domestic and work activities. A designated, safe play area for children must be in place away from machinery, livestock and hazards like slurry tanks and farm chemicals.

The farmyard should be designed to keep activities segregated in defined well-managed locations.

Some examples of this:

  • Farm chemicals and crop-spraying equipment in a defined area with storage and wash-down facilities.
  • Workshop/machine maintenance area should have space to store tools and parts in a tidy fashion.

  • Farm oils and lubricants to be kept together in designated storage tanks.
  • Machinery stored on hard surfaces ideally covered away from animals and crops.

  • Livestock housing and handing equipment kept together and appropriate to the type of livestock and separate form crops and machinery.
  • Farm buildings and yards must be adequately lit. Electrical circuits must be assessed regularly by a qualified electrician.
  • Ground conditions must seek to avoid slips trips and falls. Yards should have hard surfaces free of water and mud. They must be cleaned regularly. Steep slopes should be avoided.
  • Warning signs must be in place at the entrance to the farm to highlight high risk areas.
  • Hazardous areas within the farm must also have clear signage. Some examples include a bull pen, calving area, chemical storage, workshop area, electrical cables and slurry tanks.
  • Keep a fully stocked first-aid box in an easily accessible area in the farmyard. Make sure it is visible and everyone on the farm knows where it is.
  • Good farm building and yards help to ensure costly nutrients are being carefully collected and managed to best effect.
  • Farm construction work is covered by safety, health and welfare at work construction regulations. A farmer needs to make construction appointments before starting construction work.

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