Farmers urged to plan ahead and not take chances when mixing lethal slurry
Date published:
Farmers are being urged to make their safety a priority when mixing slurry ahead of the closed spreading period.
Officials from the Farm Safety Partnership and the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) are advising farmers to stringently follow the slurry mixing code and warning just one breath of poisonous slurry gas can kill.
Harry Sinclair, Chair of the Farm Safety Partnership said: “It’s a busy time of year for our farmers who will be under pressure to get their slurry tanks emptied ahead of the 15 October deadline. But they must put their own safety and that of their family and workers first.
“Our advice to farmers is plan ahead. Don’t rush the mixing. And spread the slurry well in advance of the closed period, provided weather conditions are suitable. Do not take any chances when mixing slurry, it is not worth losing your life over. Stop and think about the entire job and ensure you follow the slurry mixing code.
“Always keep children and animals away during the mixing process. Farmers must stay out of the shed for 30 minutes after mixing starts or after moving or re-directing the pump,” he said.
Bryan Monson, Deputy Chief Executive of the HSENI said: “Mixing slurry can be a dangerous job as the gas is released very quickly, and in large quantities, as soon as the mixing starts. Slurry gas is a mixture of gases, including the extremely poisonous gas, hydrogen sulphide.
“Even a low concentration of hydrogen sulphide can knock out your sense of smell so you won’t even know it’s there. At higher concentrations you will rapidly find it harder to breathe and become confused - and at certain concentrations, just one breath can kill.
“The first 30 minutes are the most dangerous, so it is important to remove all stock from the shed before mixing starts and for farmers to leave the building as soon as the mixing starts. It is also vitally important to stay out of the shed for at least 30 minutes after the mixing starts,” he added.
The slurry mixing code:
- open all doors and windows
- if possible, mix on a windy day
- keep children away from the area at all times when working with slurry
- take all animals out of the building before starting to mix
- use outside mixing points first
- if slats are removed, cover exposed areas of the tank beside the pump/mixer to stop anything falling in
- start the pump/mixer - then get out and stay out of the building for as long as possible - at least 30 minutes
- if you have to go into the building, make sure that another adult who knows what you are doing stays outside and can get help if needed
- if you have to re-enter to move the pump or change the direction of the pump, leave the building as soon as this is done - do not go back in for as long as possible - at least another 30 minutes
Never:
- rely on filter type facemasks
- use gas monitors as a substitute for working safely
- rely on monitors at the start of mixing, the volumes of gas could exceed the capacity of the monitor
- have naked flames near slurry, some parts of the slurry gas mixture is flammable
- stand close to the pump/exhaust of a vacuum tanker when it is being filled
For more information about working safely with slurry contact the HSENI helpline on 0800 0320 121 or visit:
Notes to editors :
- The Farm Safety Partnership’s ongoing ‘Stop and Think SAFE’ farm safety campaign focuses on the four main causes of death and injury on our farms - slurry, animals, falls (from height) and equipment (SAFE).
- The Farm Safety Partnership comprises the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI), the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), NFU Mutual (NFUM), the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster (YFCU), The Farm Safety Foundation (FSF), the Northern Ireland Agricultural Producers Association (NIAPA), Rural Support and Lantra. It is tasked with assisting Northern Ireland’s farming community to work safely and tackle the problem of work-related fatalities and injuries on farms.
- The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) is an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body, sponsored by the Department for the Economy (DfE).
- HSENI is the lead body responsible for the promotion and enforcement of health and safety at work standards in Northern Ireland.
- For media enquiries please contact HSENI Press Office on 028 9024 3249 or email media@hseni.gov.uk. For out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer on 028 9037 8110.