FARMERS Guardian is working with a number of industry organisations to help promote farm safety. This latest guide highlights the key risks to you, employees and visitors from farm machinery and provides practical safety advice. Copies of the guide will also be available from NFU stands at agricultural shows throughout the summer.
Machinery related accidents account for nearly one in 10 deaths in farming every year, with balers and PTO shafts causing the most fatalities. Machines need to be properly maintained, guarded and functioning and people should be trained how to use them.
Over the past two years more than 300 people have been injured after coming into contact with farm machinery.
Many of these incidents have occurred when a machine has been left running, not stopped fully or been restarted while someone was in contact with the moving parts.
These may have been prevented by the Safe Stop procedure.
Safe purchase
When hiring machinery or buying new equipment, check:
The machine is ‘CE’ marked and supplied with a Certificate of Conformity.
The machine is fitted with roll-over protection.
The machine clears under any overhead power lines.
Whether operators need training to use the new machine safely.
When buying second-hand equipment, check the machine complies with PUWER requirements and has guards in place.
If not, you must bring it up to a safe standard and replace or repair guards before you use it.
source:farmersguardian.com
Machinery Claims
