Digital Re-print - July | August 2012

Health & Safety in the working environment

Grain & Feed Milling Technology is published six times a year by Perendale Publishers Ltd of the United Kingdom. All data is published in good faith, based on information received, and while every care is taken to prevent inaccuracies, the publishers accept no liability for any errors or omissions or for the consequences of action taken on the basis of information published. Copyright 2010 Perendale Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior permission of the copyright owner. Printed by Perendale Publishers Ltd. ISSN: 1466-3872

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FEATURE

HEALTH & SAFETY

he agricultural workplace is full of hazards, with farmers at particularly high risk of work related injuries, illnesses and even death. It is vitally important therefore that the right precautions are taken consistently to protect the health and safety of everyone in the farm environment, be they farmers themselves, those that work for them, both employees and contractors - as well as visitors and family members. Taking farm safety and security seriously is a key part of any successful business plan in the agricultural sector. Get it right and things go much more efficiently. Get it wrong, even for a second, and things can easily tip into disaster with tragic consequences for individuals and indeed the whole business. Of course attention has to be focused on the big hazards that can maim and kill, but accidents like slips, trips and falls, chronic poisoning, eye injuries, cuts and crushing can all happen in an agricultural setting, so it is important to raise everyones awareness and help prevent these accidents from becoming a regular occurrence. And farming is one of the few high-risk industries where the workforce has to share its working environment with the family; most farms are homes as well as workplaces and the dangers for children especially are ever present.

in the working environment

to plant when and where, as well as making regular assessments of risks such as pests and plant and animal diseases. The management of health and safety is no different. This is why a risk assessment is integral to ensuring that the agricultural workplace continues to run smoothly, as well as providing the business with a credible action plan for the future. If assessments are suitably comprehensive, they will not only pick up risks from hazards such as farm machinery, electricity and animals, but will also help to pinpoint any fire risks and help assess the best and safest way of storing fertilisers and other hazardous substances.

by Roger Bibbings, Occupational Safety Adviser, Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, United kingdom
health damage, for example, lung diseases, noise-induced hearing loss, skin diseases, and certain cancers associated with chemical use and prolonged sun exposure. When it comes to working out what action needs to be taken to prevent these things happening, carrying out some basic risk assessments is a good place to start so that you can manage the risks sensibly and maintain a safe and sound working environment. The law is pretty clear. The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSW Act) puts a duty on all employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of employees and any others who may be affected by what they do. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 backs this up with key management tasks. Self-employed people also have a duty to look after themselves and others. But it is not really about the law. Taking sensible precautions is the right thing to do. And if the resources and effort are properly directed at the main threats, it makes good business sense too. After all, healthy quality crops and animals are what keep the farming industry thriving and they enable farmers and growers to stay in business. So how much more important is it that those who deliver these outputs should be healthy and safe too? Effective agricultural practice is all about good planning, such as focusing on just what

Hidden hazards >

Many hazards are obvious but it is vital that everyone on the farm, especially new starters and those who are new to the industry, know about hidden dangers such as oxygen deficient atmospheres in confined spaces, such as those found in grain/forage silos and bins, slurry pits etc. These enclosed spaces can be accidents waiting to happen and in some cases people have been killed just because they were ignorant of the hazard. Serious injuries can result from fires, near drowning in pools or asphyxiation from being crushed by bales etc. When carrying out an assessment, ask yourself: can the work be done another way? If it involves substances hazardous to
Grain

Risk assessment >

It is not just about accidents. Farming also brings with it a high risk of work-related
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FEATURE health like solvents, can it be done outside? Alternatively, check the area in question has adequate ventilation before starting and in case of the worst case scenario happening, make sure you have proper emergency arrangements in place and provide rescue equipment. people. For example, if tractors, farm vehicles and other workplace vehicles fall into the wrong hands, the repercussions can be lethal. Obviously, these vehicles should be properly maintained and suitable training given to all operators. Remember, in agriculture the most common cause of serious and fatal injuries involves moving and overturning vehicles. Proper guarding is absolutely vital, for example, to prevent the terrible accidents that can occur with PTO shafts. Incidents occur when the vehicle has been left unattended; always check the vehicle braking system and make sure it is properly maintained. It is also advisable to use the safe stop procedure whenever you leave a vehicle; handbrake on and controls in neutral, before turning the engine off and removing the key. Each vehicle and piece of machinery needs to be assessed against actual conditions of use so that safe systems of work can be put in place.

Getting caught out >

But it is often the apparently mundane and routine things that catch people out. That is why it is so important to constantly check that work areas are free from obstructions such as trailing cables and that buildings are kept in good repair. And remember to think about visitors safety as well; once they have set foot on your premises their safety becomes your responsibility. Toilet and welfare facilities should also be provided and cleaned regularly as well as a clean drinking water supply maintained. Microbiological hazards are critical too. It is not just the well known zoonotic infections such as brucellosis or ring worm, but the need to maintain awareness of the threat of infection from animal wastes and other materials that can harbour hazardous micro-organisms.

Avoiding falls >

Falls are the second highest cause of death in agriculture, but most fall injuries can be avoided. To stop your farm losing out on time and money as a result of fall injuries, ensure that all work at height is planned and supervised, with competent people in charge. Falls often happen from roofs, ladders, vehicles, bale stacks, among others, so it

Machinery and vehicles >

Farm machinery continues to increase in size, power and sophistication. Often it is complex and highly expensive. Its use needs to be restricted to trained, competent

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FEATURE is important to be risk aware and follow the law: Avoid work at height where you can If not, use work equipment or measures to prevent falls If not, use work equipment that minimises the distance and consequences of a fall. Forward planning here goes a long way; for example, stacking materials is a skill and requires trained staff to carry out the job safely and properly. Thorough inspections and correct use of ladders for access to the load will help to minimise the risk of injury, as will ensuring that full loads are secured before leaving the field. A falling bale, for example, can kill quite easily, so remaining alert is a must when unloading and destacking so that no people are hurt in the vicinity. It is also necessary to check that the ladders which you are using are set up on level ground, free from obstruction so that they are not leaning against a fragile surface and secure enough to prevent them from slipping. trained to associate people with feeding, grooming or exercise. Handling aids such as bull poles and halters are not a bad idea and no one should ever enter an enclosure when a bull is loose - as it can kill.

Health & Safety in the mill

When weighing, milling and mixing animal feeds it is important that employers, the self-employed and contractors comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH). This law exists to protect workers health when coming into contact with high dust levels produced by the moving and processing of grain and seed. Lung diseases such as asthma can ensue as a result of short-term and longterm exposure to the dust which contains bacteria, fungi and insect residues. Controlling the level of exposure is the best way to help prevent occupational lung diseases from developing. If breathing in the dust is unavoidable, the use of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is advised. Workers should receive training on how to use RPE properly, including the importance of keeping it clean and stored away from dust. Some dusts, such as barley, can irritate the skin. Only trained people should be present during the milling process and there should be plenty of ventilation, typically five to 10 air changes per hour, with a through draught. The equipment should also be checked for signs of damage, ensuring that the dust extraction and gauges work properly. A ventilation engineer should examine the extraction and test its performance at least one every 14 months and non-disposable RPE should also be examined and tested at least once every three months. Keeping records of these examinations and tests for at least five years will highlight where preventive maintenance may be needed. Ensure you have the up-to-date safety data sheets for all chemicals and products and plan for as well as practise emergency procedures. Include supervisors and managers in health and safety training and supervise your workers, making sure they know what to do if something goes wrong as well as following the correct work method. Above all, make sure you consult them to get their views, ideas and buy-in. More information can be found at: www.hse.gov.uk/ agriculture/resources/coshh/ ag3-animal-feed.htm

Prevention: education & training >

In summary, despite less than 1.5 per cent of the working population being employed in agriculture, the sector is responsible for between 15 per cent and 20 per cent of fatalities to workers each year. According to the HSE, in 2010/11, there were 42 fatalities reported, which is consistent with the agriculture average over the past five years. To reiterate, the main causes of death to workers are being run over by agricultural transport or a vehicle overturning. This is closely followed by falling from a height and being struck by moving or falling objects such as bales. So what is the answer with regards to reducing this number of incidents? Fundamentally it lies in education and training and encouraging individuals to make significant changes to their behaviour. It also requires leadership by example by farmers themselves and farm managers. Do not be afraid to ask for help. There are many bodies out there; suppliers, major customers, RoSPA, the NFU, safety groups, and colleges that can all help you to take stock of where you are now and where you can make improvements. Remember, safety is no accident. If you fail to plan for safety, then you are planning to fail. More
InforMatIon:

Livestock dangers >

Another area that needs to be assessed to make it safer and more efficient is that of livestock handling. The handling of cattle in particular needs great care and attention as it always involves a risk of injury. There have been many incidents of crushing, kicking, butting or goring of humans by cattle and many people have died as a result. But the risk of injury is greater if the animals have not been handled regularly and there should be a culling policy in place for temperamental animals. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that all bulls should be

Website: www.rospa.com For more information on agricultural health and safety, visit www. hse.gov.uk/agriculture/index.htm

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