The Farmers Mart Dec/Jan 2015 - Issue 37 | Page 11

farm news HSE ISSUES SAFETY WARNING TO ALL FARMERS Farmers are being urged to take extra care following the conclusion of a fatal accident inquiry into the tragic death of Lauder farmer, Jim Sharp earlier this year. The 66-year-old, a self-employed farmer at Newbigging Walls Farm, died after he became entangled with a sweep auger in a grain silo. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and NFU Scotland have urged all farmers to remember to use the safe stop procedure when working with any agricultural machinery: • Put the handbrake on. • Make sure the controls are in neutral (equipment made safe). • Stop the engine (or turn off the power). • Remove the key (or lock-off the power supply). This is particularly important to remember when carrying out maintenance or repairs when you may be working with guards removed or in closer proximity to the moving parts. Use a padlock to prevent the power being turned on accidentally or remove the ignition key and keep the key with you until the work is complete. Do not enter grain silos with the auger running – use the safe stop procedure. Sweep augers move slowly but have been responsible for several accidents – usually fatal – where the individual has become entangled by a boot lace or clothing. Do not enter grain silos to clear blockages of any kind unless the power is isolated and there is no chance of bridging in the grain – drowning in grain silos can occur when a person sinks into the grain as the silo empties. Also consider lack of oxygen in the silo, particularly if the grain could be damp, contaminated or if it is a sealed silo. The safety message also follows the launch of a newly formed farm safety partnership in Scotland in August. Members include NFU Scotland, NFU Mutual, Scottish Government, and HSE. The Farm Safety Partnership for Scotland will focus on four key areas: falls from height; livestock incidents; workplace transport; and machinery incidents. These four areas account for around 70% of the fatal injuries in Scotland and also feature in the leaflet “Don’t leave it to FATE” (Falls, Animals, Transport and Equipment) and are as relevant to England and Wales as they are in Scotland. ‘Falls, Animals, Transport and Equipment’ “Don’t leave it to FATE” is available at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/scotland/ pdf/farm-safety-partnership.pdf HSE publication “Safe Working with Agricultural Machinery” is available for free via www.hse.gov.uk. East Yorkshire Machinery Ltd. Agricultural Dealers Welton Service Station, Hull Road, Shiptonthorpe, East Yorkshire YO43 3PS Because our stock changes so fast you may want to phone us with your requirement Tel & Fax: [phone] Mob: [phone] E: [email protected] www.eastyorkshiremachinery.com To read more, visit www.farmers-mart.co.uk FarmersMart Dec/Jan 2015 11