‘Farmers need to know slurry gas dangers’

A farm accident that claimed the lives of two men has highlighted the dangers of toxic gas when working with slurry – even in open spaces.

Craig Whipps, 27, was killed in the tragedy alongside fellow farmworker Paul Gray, 48, who twice tried to rescue his colleague. Both families have since vowed to raise awareness of slurry gases, such as hydrogen sulphide, which can be just as deadly outside as in confined spaces.

Mr Whipps died after removing a number of bolts connecting a discharge chute to a broken valve on an outside slurry silo. In doing so, he unwittingly weakened the valve and was engulfed in a sea of slurry that an inquest heard was “like shaking up a bottle of pop and letting the top off”.

Mr Gray, who tried to rescue Mr Whipps, also died in the accident. The inquest heard it was likely both men were overcome by toxic fumes within seconds before collapsing into the slurry. Farmer Robert Torrance and another farmworker who made rescue attempts were overcome, but survived.

Verdicts of accidental death were returned this month by an inquest into the fatalities. The Whipps, Gray and Torrance families have all since spoken to Farmers Weekly about the incident, which happened on 15 July 2011 at Albyns Farm, Stapleford Tawney, near Ongar, Essex.

Mr Whipps left a wife, Vicky, and a young daughter Bethany. Mrs Whipps then discovered she was expecting the couple’s second child, James. “At the time, neither of us realised I was pregnant,” she said. “Craig was a lovely husband – he should have had years of family life ahead of him.”

“Craig was a lovely husband – he should have had years of family life ahead of him”
Vicky Whipps

The inquest at Chelmsford Coroner’s Court highlighted the role of hydrogen sulphide fumes in the tragedy. Generated within slurry alongside more common gases such as methane, hydrogen sulphide is less well known.

At low levels, hydrogen sulphide smells like rotten eggs. But at higher levels it can’t be smelt, shutting down the nervous system, causing collapse, unconsciousness and ultimately death. The inquest heard Mr Whipps and Mr Gray were overcome before dying from “immersion in slurry”.

More people should be made aware of hydrogen sulphide, said Mrs Whipps. “We just want to try to raise awareness of some of the hidden dangers of working in an agricultural environment in the hope that the same thing will not happen to anyone else.”

The awareness campaign is likely to include publicity leaflets and talks at agricultural colleges, said Mrs Whipps’ solicitor, Michael Wangermann of law firm Ashton KCJ. “There is a critical absence of working knowledge about hydrogen sulphide,” he said.

Farmer John Torrance, whose father Robert tried to rescue Craig, agreed that more should be done to raise awareness among farmers. “Most people in the industry have heard of methane, but hardly anyone knows about the dangers of hydrogen sulphide.”

Further action has been ruled out by the Health and Safety Executive following the completion of its investigation into the deaths of Craig Whipps and Paul Gray.

“No health and safety breach was identified as a contributing factor to these deaths,” said HSE inspector Sue Matthews. “The HSE is continuing to work closely with the farming sector to make sure that lessons learned from this tragic accident reach those who may be at risk.”

“Slurry handling on farms is a dangerous process. The toxic gases released can quickly kill workers and livestock – even in the open air – and multiple fatalities can occur as attempts are made to rescue workers who have been overcome.”

In a family statement, farmer Robert Torrance and his son John – who both gave evidence at the inquests into the deaths of Mr Whipps and Mr Gray – said their thoughts remained with the families and friends of their two employees and late colleagues.

“There has been an extensive investigation and we have at all times co-operated fully with both the police and the Health and Safety Executive. We are anxious to learn any lessons that can be taken from this incident to ensure greater safety for all the wider agricultural industry.”

Anna Gray, whose husband died after twice trying to rescue Craig Whipps, has called for better training to prevent similar tragedies.

Father-of-three Paul Gray, 48, drowned in the slurry pit at Albyns Farm after being overcome by toxic fumes. His body was recovered by the emergency services, near to where he had left his tobacco tin and glasses before trying in vain to rescue his work colleague.

Mr and Mrs Gray married in 1986 and moved to Albyns Farm once he was given the job as dairy herdsman. The couple had three daughters, who were in the kitchen with Mrs Gray while her husband was at work on the day of the tragedy.

“I could see emergency services heading to the farm and I decided to run up there,” she said. “I’ll never forget the mess we saw and hearing the news that Paul had tried to rescue Craig but nothing could be done to save either of them. It felt like my heart was being ripped out.”

“I’ll never forget the mess we saw and hearing the news that Paul had tried to rescue Craig but nothing could be done to save either of them. It felt like my heart was being ripped out”
Anna Gray

Describing her husband as a dedicated father, Mrs Gray added: “The past 18 months have been hell as we’ve struggled to accept what happened and while the inquest has given us some answers, nothing can turn back the clock.

“I just hope lessons are learned by the farming industry in general about the risks workers face and how important it is to take every step possible to protect them. It won’t bring Paul back but it might save other lives and prevent anyone else from suffering like we have.”

Daughter Kirsten, who is employed as a work-based assessor for horticulture, told Farmers Weekly there was a lack of awareness and training among farmers and farmworkers when it came to the toxicity of slurry gas.

“The standards need to be changed and there should be respirators on farms. When we were children, my father drummed it into us that slurry was dangerous and we should stay well away from it. But even he didn’t know about the dangers of slurry gas.”

Toxic gases such as hydrogen sulphide, carbon dioxide, ammonia and methane are produced by bacteria during the decomposition of slurry.

Hydrogen sulphide gas is poisonous to humans and animals. It is:

• Fatal in seconds – one breath is enough.
  
• Heavier than air and is found at ground level, particularly in confined areas on calm days.
  
• Smells like rotten eggs, but high concentrations can’t be smelled.

Gas release is greatest:

• When the crust is broken.
  
• In the first 30min of agitation.
  
• After silage effluent has been added.
  
• After storage for several months.

Precautions when agitating slurry

Ventilate:

• Choose a windy day if possible.
  
• Open all doors and outlets.

Evacuate:

• All people.
  
• All animals.

Agitate:

• Do not stand near slats.
  
• Do not enter the building for one hour.
  
• Avoid smoking and naked flames.

Protect openings:

• Install a manhole safety access cover.
  
• If slats have to be removed, provide adequate temporary protection of openings.
  
• Warn children and visitors.
  
• Use warning signs.

Slurry tank protection:

• Adults and children can fall into unprotected slurry tank manhole openings.
  
• Always provide adequate temporary protection for tanks that have not got safety access covers.

Other safety considerations:

• Never enter a slurry tank without suitable breathing apparatus and proper training.
  
• Toxic gases can remain in the tank even when it is empty and could cause suffocation.
  
• The gas masks available have limitations.
  
• Always check with the manufacturer before using them.
  
• Gas detection systems are available but should not be used as a substitute for the safety guidelines outlined.

Farm checklist:

• Are safety access covers in place?
  
• Is there proper protection of openings?
  
• Are agitation guidelines being followed?
  
• Are pto shafts covered?
  
• Is the machine operator aware of the hazards?

Think safety and take action

Advice on safe slurry handling can be downloaded free from the agriculture pages of the Heath and Safety Executive’s website

Source: Teagasc