Farmer from Derbyshire dies in slurry pit accident
23rd June 2021
Another tragic farming incident calls for clarity on farming safety measures.
A farmer has sadly died following a slurry pit incident on a farm near Elton, Derbyshire, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has confirmed.
HSE advised the man in his 30s, fell into a slurry pit and was overcome by poisonous gas in the incident on 14th June.
Derbyshire Police confirmed: “We were called just before 8pm on 14 June by our colleagues in the fire service, who reported that a man had fallen into a slurry pit at a farm near Elton.
“The man, who was in his 30s, was taken to hospital but sadly died.”
“We contacted the Health and Safety Executive and are preparing a file for the coroner.”
There have been at least 10 fatal farming incidents since April 2021.
An HSE source advised: “Incidents involving slurry occur regularly on farms in Great Britain. These incidents include people, not just farmers, being overcome by toxic gases, drowning as a result of a fall into slurry or liquid stores, or being injured from the collapse of structures containing slurry.
“Slurry is broken down by bacterial action which produces gases. Slurry gas includes methane, carbon monoxide, ammonia and hydrogen sulphide, all of which can create a risk to human and animal health.”
Top tips to avoid a slurry pit accident, from the Farm Safety Foundation:
- ONE BREATH CAN KILL – slurry gas at the right concentration will kill.
- Many people have drowned in or been asphyxiated by slurry or slurry gas. Often a second person trying a rescue is killed too.
- Fence off lagoons, pits and tanks to stop anyone falling or climbing in. The standard of fencing should be very secure.
- Keep everybody well away from areas that store slurry.
- Carefully plan slurry stirring and pumping tasks. Keep unauthorised people away.
- Mix/stir on a windy day, always mix from a position outside any building. Stirring inside a building needs more safety measures and should be avoided.
- Gas is released as soon as mixing starts.
- No one should have access to the area where slurry is being stirred until at least 30 minutes after the work is complete.
HSE features detailed guidance on how farmers can stay safe around slurry pits, please take a look here.
