Farm Safety Week 2018: Top tips for good practice on farm
© FLPA/John Eveson/REX/Shutterstock Farm Safety Week 2018 kicks off on Monday (16 July) and this year it plans to focus on good practice, rather than on agriculture’s poor safety record.
NFU Mutual launched Farm Safety Week in 2013 to raise awareness of the serious accidents and fatal injuries in the industry.
Since 2014, charity Farm Safety Foundation has managed the campaign and developed it into a collaborative annual initiative between England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
See also: Rule reminder: Child safety on farm
This year the official strapline is: Your Health. Your Safety. Your Choice.
Stephanie Berkeley, of Farm Safety Foundation, said asking farmers to stop and think had been a key part of campaigns such as Mind Your Head and Who Would Fill Your Boots?
“We can continue to make powerful and emotive films and offer advice and guidance, but we can’t make farmers change their attitude,” she said.
“Only you can make that change. You have to play your part. You have to take responsibility.”
During Farm Safety Week www.yellowwellies.org will feature a series of guest blogs from campaign partners and six sections with advice and top tips.
The six sections include: working at height; working with livestock; staying slurry safe; working with machinery; overhead power lines and child safety on farms.
Simple safety for ATV users
© Can-Am
The versatility and capability of all-terrain vehicles (ATV) makes them the popular day-to-day workhorse on many farms.
It is important when using an ATV safety is at the forefront of farmers’ minds.
The Can-Am off-road team has offered some safety tips including:
- Make sure loads carried on racks are secure and evenly balanced and do not exceed the capacity of the ATV.
- Keep your eyes peeled for any pedestrians, livestock, obstructions or other vehicles
- Inspect the ATV before use to ensure it is in good working order.
- Avoid sudden increases in speed – one of the common causes for an overturned vehicle.
- Always wear the correct protective equipment, such as a helmet, boots, long sleeve shirt and trousers.
- When riding across a slope, keep your weight forward. When going downhill, slide your weight backwards, select a low gear and use engine braking.
- Be aware of changes in ground conditions as these could affect the loads you are carrying or the attachments you are pulling.
Stories to share during Farm Safety Week 2018
Child safety on farms
Linzi Nelson and her husband Richard from Crossgates, Fife, lost their three-year-old son Stuart in February 2017 when he was hit by a reversing vehicle on their farm.
Mental well-being
Farmers & Farmers Wives Choir Scotland have recorded Carry You Home, a Ward Thomas song, to help raise awareness of mental health issues in Scotland. The video and track will be released on Thursday (19 July).
Good practice
The Growing Safer Farms initiative, led by Devon Young Farmers Club and made up of 19 dealerships and agricultural engineers, has repaired and replaced more than 1,000 pto shaft guards on farm machinery in 12 months.