Power

Electricity does not give you a second chance; even a fraction of the small amount of current that it takes to light a bulb is enough to cause your heart to stop. It causes extreme damage to body tissue and limbs.

The electrical risk on a farm comes from two places:

  • Overhead wires and underground cables carrying the electricity to your farm.
  • The actual electrical installation.
  • Repairs

    Watch out for overhead wires and never approach or touch fallen wires. Always keep a safe distance from electricity wires.

    Remember, anything that is in contact with electricity wires will be ‘‘electrified’’ and equally dangerous to touch. This could include gates, fences, including electric fences.

    Replace damaged tools and equipment, including earth leads and their connections to metalwork and always get a registered electrical contractor to carry out repairs.

    If you have a generator or are planning to get one, make sure it is installed properly with the correct changeover switch.

    Inspection and installation

    At this time of year, you should carry out a proper inspection of the entire electrical installation, including the main distribution board.

    Make sure you have a correctly functioning RCD device (trip switch) fitted and test it regularly by pushing the ‘‘test’’ button. Know where any buried electricity cables are located and make sure not to disturb them when digging.

    Working in the field

    Do not work too near poles and stays to avoid causing any damage. Stays are very important for ensuring the overhead wires keep their tension, which in turn keeps the wires at the required height overground.

    The dos and don’ts when it comes to electricity safety

  • Always keep well clear of fallen wires and contact ESB Networks immediately on 1850 372 999.
  • Never make any assumptions when it comes to electricity and electrical safety.
  • Always visually inspect your electrical tools and equipment before using them and check for damaged plug tops.
  • Always use a registered electrical contractor to carry out repairs and make sure your RCD is working.
  • If there are taller machines being used or there are changes to the layout of fields, be vigilant that the wires are high enough and alert ESB Networks in good time.
  • Plan work that may be happening near overhead wires and alert ESB Networks in advance, where possible. The number to ring is 1850 372 999.
  • Watch out for overhead wires.
  • Electricity wires are always live, including fallen or low hanging wires.
  • Never touch or approach fallen wires.
  • Never touch anything that may be in contact with electricity wires.
  • Stay fully informed about electricity – read Farm Safely With Electricity (available from ESB Networks or click on www.esbnetworks.ie/stayingsafe).
  • In an emergency, phone 1850 372 999 immediately. Remember, there are no second chances with electricity.
  • Stop taking risks – challenge yourself, change our culture

    Farming is currently the most dangerous occupation in Ireland, with 50% of all fatal workplace accidents occurring on farms.

    Some 197 people have been killed in farming-related accidents between 2007 and 2016 with 21 fatalities having already occurred in 2017.

    These stark numbers are the reality of farming in Ireland today and everyone agrees that this situation is unacceptable. Here are five areas that need urgent consideration:

  • Changing our culture: education, training, technology, engineering and innovation all play a pivotal part in safety on the farm, but changing unsafe cultures and behaviours is the key to a sustained reduction in the number of serious and fatal accidents.
  • Remember the consequences: farmers are more likely to take chances if it’s perceived as the norm. For example, some farmers may operate a tractor with brakes in poor condition as long as it isn’t used on a public road. The acceptability of these unsafe behaviours is something that must change.
  • Elderly farmers – take care: over 50% of fatal accidents this year involved farmers over the age of 65. This demographic is an especially vulnerable group whose safety requires our urgent attention.
  • Be an example to the next generation: if we can create and foster a positive safety culture on our farms, behavioural change and safer farming practices will follow. Making a lasting change is rarely a simple process, and usually involves a significant commitment of time and effort. Many unsafe practices on Irish farms are learned behaviours passed down through generations, but we need to ask ourselves, is it fair to pass these on to the next generation? We need to teach and show our children how to farm safely.
  • A time for action: safety must not be left to chance: farmers need to manage health and safety on their farm and effectively plan work activities. This planning must include scheduled safety maintenance on farm machinery, equipment, facilities and time management. Not only are well managed farms safer but they are also more efficient. Managing safety correctly is sometimes difficult to measure as we cannot see the accidents that our actions have prevented. However, not managing safety on your farm may lead to a lifetime of regret.
  • Stop taking risks - always think safety first. On behalf of everyone at FBD, I would like to express our deepest sympathies to all of the families affected. Words cannot describe the devastation left behind after these tragedies.