Farm Safety

With this week expected to bring a return of freezing weather conditions, farmers have been warned to take measures that will help protect their farms and avoid taking unnecessary risks while driving.

A 22-year-old shepherdess was crushed to death when her quad bike – overloaded with weed killer – toppled over while she worked on farmland in the Cotswolds, an inquest heard.

Planned winter maintenance can reduce the risk of breakdowns in the field, while replacing worn and damaged parts reduces the risk of deaths and injuries. NFU Mutual and Farm Safety Foundation offer some guidance.

As the second storm has hit the country in just 48 hours, bringing heavy rain and strong winds, NFU Mutual has offered some advice to help farmers protect themselves and their businesses.

When we think about high-risk industries, construction is usually the first that comes to mind. Forestry and agriculture are often overlooked. However, they are among the most high-risk industries in the UK when it comes to health and safety. Gavin Scarr-Hall, director of health & safety at Peninsula, offers some advice.

A Suffolk maltings supplier faces losses of around 130 tonnes of barley after a blaze broke out in the factory.

Farmers have been assessing the damage after Storm Henk hit many parts of the country this week. The storm has brought strong winds and heavy rain, creating chaos for many.

The newly appointed chair of trustees at the Farm Safety Foundation set his goal to “push even harder for zero avoidable deaths” on farms.

The Tilly Group is highlighting a new standard on the maintenance of machinery, which has been published by the British Standards Institute to improve the safety and efficiency of ageing machinery.

There are potential implications, both from a legal perspective and in respect of your insurance if required machinery tests are not carried out. It’s important to seek advice on farm vehicle and machinery safety to ensure you understand how you can reduce the risk of accidents happening, writes Will Oakes, CLA Insurance account executive.

Accidents involving power take-off (PTO) shafts are among the most common causes of serious injury when operating farm machinery. To help raise awareness of PTO safety, Kramp, the agricultural spare parts supplier, has issued guidance to farmers to minimise the risk of an incident occurring and reduce PTO wear through proper set-up.

Gavin Scarr-Hall, director of health & safety at Peninsula, offers some advice on best practice for slurry management.