| Muck & Slurry
Working safely with slurry
The tragic event in Essex in 2011 where four farm workers were overcome by slurry gases resulting in two of them
dying, and the accident to the Spence family in Northern Ireland where three family members died should remind
farmers of the dangers of working with slurry.
number of different gases
are produced as part of the
anaerobic breakdown of
slurry including hydrogen
sulphide, carbon dioxide,
ammonia and methane;
these are known
collectively known as slurry
gases. These gases are held
within the slurry and can be
released in substantial quantities
when the slurry is agitated.
A
Children are adventurous and
don’t always understand risks;
they get themselves into
dangerous situations they
cannot get out of
A good way of considering how
the gases are released is to
compare slurry to a fizzy drink; if
the drink is left undisturbed the
bubbles of gas rise quietly to the
surface, if it is shaken there is
violent reaction and the bubbles of
gas fizz out of control.
Agitating slurry causes a similar
reaction and high concentrations
of gas find their way out of the
system wherever there is an exit. It
is important that farmers identify
where in a slurry system gases
might be present during and
shortly after agitation.
Slurry gas is heavier than air
and might ‘pool’ in places such as
the reception pit; some areas,
even outdoors, might have
restricted ventilation because of
the proximity of building and might
also contain gas. In these high
concentrations collapse and death
can occur after only a few
breaths.
Keeping people, workers,
contractors and family members –
and stock - out of those areas
during this period is important. But
it isn’t just slurry gases which
cause fatal accidents. There have
been a number of incidents over
the years, where tragically farmers,
workers and children have been
found drowned in slurry lagoons.
Clearly fencing slurry lagoons
will help to keep children away
from dangerous areas but there
are many examples of lagoons
36 | Farming Monthly | January 2015
which have a good standard of
fencing completely let down by a
gate left unprotected or routinely
left open. Children are
adventurous and don’t always
understand risks; they get
themselves into dangerous
situations they cannot get out of.
Keeping the slurry lagoon secure
keeps them away.
When work is being done on
the edges of the slurry lagoon,
including maintenance work, it
should be carefully thought
through to ensure no one is at risk
of falling in. If there is a risk of
falling in, however small, a rescue
plan must be considered and
agreed with all those involved. If
there is a risk of falling in do not
work alone.
And there is always the risk of
machinery accidents – unguarded,
or more commonly, partially
guarded, power take off [PTO]
shafts have been responsible for
many catastrophic accidents,
some fatal but there have been
many others involving the
amputation of an arm or leg. This
is a particular problem when the
PTO is likely to be approached, for
example, when attached to a
stationery tractor during pumping
or mixing.
So working with slurry needs to
be carefully considered and
managed properly. These
accidents are life threatening or
significantly life changing. Don’t
let it be you.
For more information on slurry
gases, slurry lagoon fencing and
power take off shafts see:http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ai
s9.pdf
Preventing access to effluent
stores and similar areas on farms
http://www.nfuonline.com/farmsafety-think-slurry-v9/
Stop ! think ! slurry gas
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ai
s40.htm
Power take offs and power take
off drive shafts
www.farmingmonthly.co.uk