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There are plenty of pieces of farming equipment that make every day tasks much easier than they would otherwise be. Whether it’s a tractor to pull heavy loads, a combine to make the harvest faster, or electric fencing to make sure the animals don’t roam too far, care must be taken with all of it to ensure that accidents don’t happen.
To that end, a joint initiative by the Health and Safety Executive, the Department of Agriculture and the Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee has launched this month, aimed at informing farmers of the dangers their equipment can cause if proper care is not taken.
It’s not just equipment that causes problems either. Livestock can also cause injuries in certain circumstances. With large animals like cows there are obvious problems, but even smaller livestock, such as turkeys or chickens, can cause issues; a scratch from a rooster’s claw is a potential starting point for a tetanus infection.
The groups most at risk are elderly farmers and young children, and so extra care needs to be taken to ensure that all safety guidelines are followed, especially around these groups. Without doing so, accidents can be potentially fatal, and farming remains one of the most dangerous careers in terms of job deaths.
However, following safety measures and performing regular maintenance of mechanical equipment can greatly reduce the danger and risks posed by them, just as good livestock management and precautions can help reduce the risk from animals.
If you would like more advice on safety procedures on your farm, the manufacturers of your equipment will provide outlines for each individual item. For more general advice, there are plenty of resources provided by the government and health and safety bodies. These will often include not only instructions for regular checks, but can often include basic first aid tips and the best ways to cope if an accident does occur. If you would like to be even more prepared, specialist first aid courses are available and can substantially reduce the risk of fatality after an accident has occurred.
Remember, all Mole Valley Farmers products are new and meets manufacturer specifications, making it the safest way to secure new farming equipment.
Editor’s Notes:
Mole Valley Farmers was started in 1960 by a small group of farmers around South Molton who were concerned by the discriminatory practices and the large margins being taken by many of their input suppliers. From the outset it was decided to treat all members equally, subject only to quantity allowance and that the Company would operate on the minimum margin to allow continuity and growth. Today it remains one of a few true co-operatives in the supply industry.
