Approximately 500 inspections are to be carried out in May by the Health and Safety Authority with the focus on tractor and machinery safety.

Each year nearly half of all farm deaths, and many more serious accidents, are linked to tractors and machinery. To date in 2017 there have been six farm fatalities, with four involving tractors or machinery.

In an effort to reduce these accidents, inspectors will be encouraging farmers to plan work and have systems in place that minimise risk, particularly during silage harvesting.

Pat Griffin, senior inspector with the HSA, said many serious and fatal accidents on farms occur when someone is crushed or struck by machinery.

“The movement of machinery, whether in the yard or in a field, can be hazardous and farmers need to be aware of the risks, particularly if there are young children living on or visiting the farm.

“Incidents of crushing someone against a building, a wall, a gate or of farmers themselves being caught in crush zones are too common.

“Crush zones are generally between the tractor and an attachment or machine or indeed within the machine itself. Farmers need to identify these zones and ensure that the risk to themselves or others is eliminated.”

Guarding

Guarding of machinery is also an important factor in preventing accidents. Griffin said unguarded moving parts on a tractor or machine are drawing-in hazards.

“Wherever it is possible to install a guard, on a PTO shaft for example, you are required to do so. It only takes a second to become entangled in an unguarded PTO shaft and the resulting injuries are devastating.

“Our Inspectors will take enforcement action wherever they find tractors being operated with unguarded PTO shafts.”

March farm inspections

A total of 391 farm inspections were carried out in March 2017 which covered livestock handling and the farm machinery which would be used when handling animals.

This number was below expected due to a number of inspectors being diverted to investigate a number of farm accidents and fatalities.

During the campaign, 13 prohibition notices were served by inspectors. These covered nine unguarded PTOs on tractors or U-guards missing and four prohibitions were issued due to dangerous moving parts on farm machinery being exposed.

In addition, 19 improvement notices were served. These were generally either on improvements required in machinery safety or calving system.

Some 161 written reports of inspection were issued for other issues of non-compliance with the legislation.

Also, 218 inspections involved inspectors giving verbal advice to the farmer on ways in which the farmer can improve health and safety on the farm.