Farm Safety Tips 2020 - Prevention is the Best Course of Action

Summer came early to the country this year, both in terms of the great farming weather and having the children all home from school.  With the movement restrictions from the Covid-19 pandemic bringing us all close as families, as we stay apart elsewhere, there has been no better time to enjoying home and farm life together. But this also means that we need to be extra vigilant on the safety front.  Farm safety can never lapse.  If any of our loved ones was hurt or worse due to carelessness on the farm, it would be a heavy burden to bear.  Prevention is the best course of action.  Here at The Dandys, you know we value all our customers and friends, so you won’t mind us giving a wee reminder for the time that is in it and list a few points to remember for farm safety

• Farm Risk Assessment

Complete a farm risk assessment.It need not be a difficult task as you can download these online and basically, you’re listing all the areas that might be hazardous around the farm.It’s a sobering exercise but it puts the plan in place for where you might need to make changes

• Children

Talk to the young people and let them know what is off limits, what is potentially dangerous and where they are allowed to be, with and without adult supervision.The farm is still a fun place for kids, but it has to be a safe one too.Some farms have closed off safe children’s play areas to keep the small ones happy.The sad fact is that in the last ten years, there have been 21 farm fatalities involving children.That’s a very scary number.

• Lock away all Chemicals, Veterinary medicines and Cleaning Equipment.
   
• Handling Livestock Carefully

Expect the unexpected when it comes to moving, treating and being around livestock.Take no chances and use a crush when administering to the needs of your stock.At this time of social distancing, there may not be another pair of hands nearby to assist when you need them, but put your own safety first at all times and wait for assistance if it puts you in peril.

• Tractors and large machinery

Is there anything more attractive to a budding young farmer than the big beautiful tractor in the farmyard? Take extra care with young bored school children at home and the lure of the big farm machines. Ensure they do not have access and supervise carefully if they are with you while you work.Legally, young people must be over 14, and have completed training, to drive a tractor on the farm. They need to be older (16-18) and have a licence before venturing on public roads.A child under 7 should never be carried on a tractor.

• Fence off all slurry tanks, lagoons and other bodies of water such as streams and rivers.

Farms are work environments as well as homesteads, so we to be extra aware and careful at the moment.  It’s a busy time of year on all farms and we all have a lot on our minds as we cope with the restrictions and changes brought about by the pandemic.   But this can also be a time to make wonderful memories as our family time is extended and there’s much fun to be had in working and playing together.  Stay safe, stay sane and stay together.

Wishing all the best to you and yours from all of us at The Dandys