Putting a safety plan in place for 2018
When farmers hear of farm accidents taking place, expressions like “shocking” or “very sad” or “its tough on the family” can often be heard. While these comments are correct and true, how many of us pause for thought and think about what has actually happened and more importantly what are the chances of that same accident happening on my farm.
In 2017, there were 24 deaths on Irish farms.
Tractors and machinery accounted for the highest proportion of deaths in 2017 following by livestock related deaths.
On Tullmaore Farm, Jim Dockery from Farm Relief Services, a qualified safety professional, drew up our farm safety plan in accordance with health and safety regulations.
The first page of the farm safety plan outlines the general farm description, what type of farming is carried out and a brief description of the yards and sheds.
It also outlines a few important people on the farm including the farm manager, vet, doctor, local guards, etc. Phone numbers and contact names are included.
Employers (farmers)
duties listed include:
To ensure the safety, health and welfare of all employees/staff/helpers at Tullamore Farm Ltd.Bring the safety statement to the employees/family/helpers attention on commencement of employment/work.Making sure hazards are avoided where possible.Provide a safe place of work.Provide necessary training on health and safety.Employees duties
(including work
placement students)
All employees are to familiarise themselves with the health and safety statement for the farm.Employees have a duty of care to protect themselves and others.Employees should keep their work area clean at all times and not create any hazards for other personnel.Employees should attend training when required.The safety statement is signed by the farm manager and a director of Tullamore Farm Ltd. The requirement to have a first aid box and its location on the farm is detailed on the safety statement. The farm safety plan is kept in the farm office.
Condition of place of work
This means that the work area must be kept tidy at all times. There were some areas around the farm which needed to be tidied to ensure that safe passage from one area to another could be carried out.
Tidy shovels - it's only a small thing but having some place where the everyday equipment used around the yard is stored safely and where everyone knows where it is or at least should be is very worthwhile.
This will also help prevent trips and falls. Any gates not properly hanging should be rectified immediately and gates standing along walls for storage should be fastened in a way that they cannot fall.
Lighting
Some of the sheds on the farm where livestock are present had poor lighting and this was one of the main issues highlighted in the health and safety plan.
Since the plan was drawn up, this has been rectified with new lighting installed in the calving shed and lambing shed. The outdoor yard area is well serviced with lights to aid winter work.
Calving pens
At the time the safety plan was being drawn up, the calving unit wasn’t finished and it was brought to our attention that this unit was required to comply with regulations.
This included a head gate and calving gate where a cow could be restrained for handling by the person in charge.
A new crush area is also planned which will include a head gate and race. This was also made reference to in the plan that existing facilities would not be good enough to handle large numbers of cattle.
Machinery
While the amount of machinery owned on the farm is minimal, it was made reference to in the safety plan that all machinery is to be kept in good condition, with all covers and shafts in good working order.
Safety: a perfectly working drive shaft cover and good hitch pin is essential.
Contractor machinery was also referenced and the fact that the farm manager needs to ensure that all machinery used on the farm is in good working order.
The HSA website (www.hsa.ie/eng/Your_Industry/Agriculture_Forestry/Overview/) has some really helpful information on filling out a safety plan for your farm.
Putting a safety plan in place for 2018
When farmers hear of farm accidents taking place, expressions like “shocking” or “very sad” or “its tough on the family” can often be heard. While these comments are correct and true, how many of us pause for thought and think about what has actually happened and more importantly what are the chances of that same accident happening on my farm.
In 2017, there were 24 deaths on Irish farms.
Tractors and machinery accounted for the highest proportion of deaths in 2017 following by livestock related deaths.
On Tullmaore Farm, Jim Dockery from Farm Relief Services, a qualified safety professional, drew up our farm safety plan in accordance with health and safety regulations.
The first page of the farm safety plan outlines the general farm description, what type of farming is carried out and a brief description of the yards and sheds.
It also outlines a few important people on the farm including the farm manager, vet, doctor, local guards, etc. Phone numbers and contact names are included.
Employers (farmers)
duties listed include:
To ensure the safety, health and welfare of all employees/staff/helpers at Tullamore Farm Ltd.Bring the safety statement to the employees/family/helpers attention on commencement of employment/work.Making sure hazards are avoided where possible.Provide a safe place of work.Provide necessary training on health and safety.Employees duties
(including work
placement students)
All employees are to familiarise themselves with the health and safety statement for the farm.Employees have a duty of care to protect themselves and others.Employees should keep their work area clean at all times and not create any hazards for other personnel.Employees should attend training when required.The safety statement is signed by the farm manager and a director of Tullamore Farm Ltd. The requirement to have a first aid box and its location on the farm is detailed on the safety statement. The farm safety plan is kept in the farm office.
Condition of place of work
This means that the work area must be kept tidy at all times. There were some areas around the farm which needed to be tidied to ensure that safe passage from one area to another could be carried out.
Tidy shovels - it's only a small thing but having some place where the everyday equipment used around the yard is stored safely and where everyone knows where it is or at least should be is very worthwhile.
This will also help prevent trips and falls. Any gates not properly hanging should be rectified immediately and gates standing along walls for storage should be fastened in a way that they cannot fall.
Lighting
Some of the sheds on the farm where livestock are present had poor lighting and this was one of the main issues highlighted in the health and safety plan.
Since the plan was drawn up, this has been rectified with new lighting installed in the calving shed and lambing shed. The outdoor yard area is well serviced with lights to aid winter work.
Calving pens
At the time the safety plan was being drawn up, the calving unit wasn’t finished and it was brought to our attention that this unit was required to comply with regulations.
This included a head gate and calving gate where a cow could be restrained for handling by the person in charge.
A new crush area is also planned which will include a head gate and race. This was also made reference to in the plan that existing facilities would not be good enough to handle large numbers of cattle.
Machinery
While the amount of machinery owned on the farm is minimal, it was made reference to in the safety plan that all machinery is to be kept in good condition, with all covers and shafts in good working order.
Safety: a perfectly working drive shaft cover and good hitch pin is essential.
Contractor machinery was also referenced and the fact that the farm manager needs to ensure that all machinery used on the farm is in good working order.
The HSA website (www.hsa.ie/eng/Your_Industry/Agriculture_Forestry/Overview/) has some really helpful information on filling out a safety plan for your farm.
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