Watch out for electricity poles and stay wires when using wide machinery and never come too close. The key safety message is to steer clear.

Electricity poles will snap if struck by a tractor wheel because they are held taut in the ground and up top by the tension in the wires.

Pulling the stay will change the tension in the wires and reduce the safe clearance of the wires, putting you and your neighbours at risk of electrocution. Stay wires are very important to ensure that overhead wires are kept at a safe height – especially at the midpoint between poles, when the sag is at its greatest and the wires are at their lowest point.

Make sure that your electrical wiring installation is fully safe and your equipment is fully rated with the correct IP rating electrical equipment. Now is the time to replace damaged fittings, such as light fittings and sockets. It is best to get a registered electrical contractor to do the work to the proper standard. Remember, there are no second chances with electricity. If you are upgrading your building or extending, contact ESB Networks well in advance in case there are cables or poles too close. Always keep a safe distance from live wires and cables.

Special rules apply to the installation of standby generators. There must be a proper change-over switch fitted. Never plug a generator into a socket. This work should only be carried out by a registered electrical contractor. Check portable electrical equipment before you plug them in. Look out for any damage to the equipment housing, to the cable, to the plug top and socket. For outdoor use, all these items must be IP-rated for water and dust. If they are damaged, replace them immediately. It will mainly be dairy farmers installing standby generators for milking parlours.

Check that the RCD trip switch (located at your electrical distribution board) is working. This is probably the most important electrical safety device you have. It will operate if a piece of plugged-in equipment becomes faulty.

Test it regularly, at least four times in the year, because it can sometimes stick from lack of use.

If you see a fallen or low electricity wire, a damaged pole or stay wire, contact ESB Networks immediately on 1850 372 999. Contacting us immediately can make all the difference. Electricity wires are always live; never approach or touch them.

For further information, check out our website: www.esbnetworks.ie/stayingsafe.

TAMS investments

When it comes to tillage farmers, there are several items available through TAMS that will not only improve safety on the farm but will also reduce workload.

Wheel-changing crate

Something that every farmer should have is a wheel-changing crate.

The reference costs for a standard wheel-changing crate is €915 excluding VAT. This has dropped from a reference cost of €1,200 excluding VAT in 2018.

Additionally, a manual wheel-pumping crate has a reference cost of €700 excluding VAT.

Hydraulic motor

Another safety item which was added to the list of eligible items in 2018 is a hydraulic motor.

This is to replace the need for a PTO shaft and would be permanently fixed to the implement.

The motor is costed at €1,520 excluding VAT and may be fitted to a new machine or retrofitted to an existing one.

Where they are particularly relevant is for low power requirement machines, such as fertiliser and slurry spreaders and small sprayers, among other items.

The motor must be driven by the hydraulics of the tractor.

Safety issues

Swinging doors and sheeted gates are all a major safety issue around farmyards.

There is grant aid available to replace these with roller doors. These can be operated either manually or electronically. The reference cost for the replacement of the doors is €89.20/m2.

Rewiring

Another safety item which may appeal to farmers is to rewire an existing shed. It is important to remember that the environment on a farm is much harsher than a domestic situation and therefore requires a higher standard of electrical installation.

The reference cost of grant aid is €6.70/m2 of the internal area of the building which is to be rewired.

A farmer can also receive grant aid for farmyard lights that are a minimum 200W equivalent, either metal halide or LED. The grant is €237.50/light.