From Farm Research Group
April 2012
Health & Safety Update
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Welcome to Strutt & Parker’s Farm Research Group Health & Safety Update. The quarterly Health & Safety Update is designed to make you think about Health & Safety matters on your farm and/or estate. Health & Safety is a vital part of any business operation. To date 49 people have been killed in agriculture this year according to the HSE which is up on last year and up on the average which continues to demonstrate how dangerous the industry we work in can be. The majority of the fatalities have been caused by moving vehicles; ensuring that ‘safe stop’ procedures are carried out whenever a vehicle is disembarked and erecting signage to warn others, particularly visitors to a site, where moving vehicles are likely to be operating will help lower this figure. For further assistance on these or any other issues please call your nearest Strutt & Parker Office.
1. Moving Vehicles The largest causes of injuries in agriculture are overturning tractors and being struck by a vehicle. The incidents involve drivers, other workers and pedestrians. Only persons authorised and familiar with the safe operations of the equipment, or those undergoing supervised training should be allowed to drive machines. Cabs MUST be kept free from rubbish and other items that may impede operation of foot pedals and any other controls, front and rear lights must be in full working order for use on the public highways. ALWAYS carry out pre-start checks of the machinery; Tractors are fitted with safety cabs and the cab door/windows should be kept closed to reduce exposure to noise and dusts but this also reduces/removes the ability for operators to hear pedestrians; Operators should take their mobile telephone with them whenever they exit the cab; Never smoke around charging batteries or when handling batteries; When driving on the road: Forks and other attachments should be removed or otherwise folded back or covered; Sharp and/or dangerous edges of loads must be protected and marked; Use appropriate marker boards.
2. Battery Charging Batteries are potentially lethal equipment, they are used on vehicles, electric fences and gas guns. They can be dangerous and/or explode if handled incorrectly, injuries from batteries can include; electric shock, burns, wounds from flying debris. When handling and charging batteries the following should always be considered; Batteries being charges are kept away from potential sources of ignition, including fuels, oils and localised hot surfaces; Never smoke around charging batteries or when handling batteries; Gloves and eye protection should be worn whenever handling batteries; Rings or other metallic objects should be removed prior to handling batteries to prevent any accidental short circuits; Tools with insulated handles are used when working with batteries; Battery levels are topped up if required prior to charging Only ever charge batteries in well-ventilated areas; Batteries are vented whilst charging; Connections are checked prior to switching the charger on; Always ensure you wash your hands after handling batteries. Batteries are usually full of solutions which are either sulphuric acid or potassium hydroxide, both of which are highly corrosive. Sulphuric acid and potassium hydroxide can both cause permanent damage to the eyes, cause serious burns to the skin and are poisonous if swallowed. Lead, nickel, lithium or cadmium compounds found in batteries are harmful to humans, animals and the environment so must be disposed of appropriately.
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3. Underground Services Underground services may be encountered wherever work involves penetrating the ground at or below ground level. The hazards associated with encountering a cable or pipeline during an excavation vary considerably, depending upon the nature of the contained service but include electrocution, flooding and the release of toxic gases or liquids. All services should be considered ‘live’ until disconnected and proven. Before any work is undertaken it should be carefully planned and utility providers be consulted if necessary, having a plan of where all services are located on farms and estates is of great value particularly in yards. Carryout a risk assessment for each excavation and identify what service is present and assess its risk, the use of Cable Avoidance Tools (CAT) should be used on the excavation site prior to works commencing to confirm location of services. When digging is taking place the following should be employed;
Safe digging practices; Use of spade/shovel with curved edges and using only gentle foot pressure when digging; Digging by hand near known or assumed locations of underground services.
4. Vibration Vibration is frequently overlooked within the agricultural industry but can has the ability to cause a range of adverse effect ranging from annoyance, discomfort through to ill health effects such as headaches, nausea and abdominal pain. Vibration is the movement of the body back and forth around a fixed point. This may be associated with Whole Body Vibration (WBV) or Hand-Arm Vibration (HAVS). Whole body vibration can occur in a variety of situations, i.e. in vehicles including cars, trucks and off road vehicles. Drivers of some machines, including certain tractors and fork lift trucks may be exposed to WBV and shocks, which are associated with back pain. Whole-body vibration (WBV) is transmitted through the seat or feet of employees who drive mobile machines, or other work vehicles, over rough and uneven surfaces as a main part of their job. Large shocks and jolts may cause health risks including back-pain. Vibration can also occur in buildings where it may be caused by heavy machinery, air conditioning, industrial plant or traffic. Hand-arm vibration is usually associated with the use of hand held equipment where the vibration energy is transferred from the equipment being held, e.g. from the use of road breakers or holding materials being worked by machines, such as bench mounted grinders. Exposure to vibration may result in a range of health effects, collectively known HAVS. Prolonged and repeated exposure to hand-arm vibration can lead to a condition known as vibration white finger (VWF). The first signs of VWF are usually temporary numbness and tingling of the fingers which often pass unnoticed. Symptoms resulting from damage to either the vascular or the neurological systems in the hands include:
Acute: tingling or pins and needles in the hands and extremities; Chronic: numbness and blanching of the fingers, swollen painful joints, reduction in manual dexterity, reduction in the sensation of touch, ulceration and gangrene in extreme cases.
If any of these symptoms are identified the individuals GP should be consulted in the first instance and reduced exposure to the vibration will be essential.
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5. Chainsaws Chainsaws are regularly used on and around farms and estates, anyone using a chainsaw should be trained to carry out the tasks that are expected of them and be provided with complete personal protective equipment (PPE) – which should include safety boots, leggings, gloves, helmet, ear protection and face shield. When operating a chainsaw a second person should be present whenever possible in case of an accident and should be provided with suitable PPE for the task they are involved in and due to their proximity to the chainsaw. There should be good communication links between both parties. The significant risk is contact with the chain during use or maintenance, leading to cutting/severing parts of the body. Low energy flying particles and falling debris can also cause injury. Chainsaws expose operators to high levels of noise and hand-arm vibration which can lead to hearing loss and conditions such as vibration white finger. Fumes (exhaust emissions) are a problem if used in poorly ventilated areas. Fire from hot surfaces following use and ignition source should refuelling be necessary. Before starting any work check out the site thoroughly to identify any areas of difficulty. Identify if there are any underground services such as power cables or gas pipes which could be damaged when the tree strikes the ground or branches fall. Assess factors which could affect the direction of the fall, such as wind conditions and whether the tree is leaning, has uneven growth or branches which foul other trees, check for broken crowns and for branches that might fall during the operation. If there are roads or public rights of way within two tree lengths of the tree to be felled, ensure that road users and members of the public do not enter the danger zone. You may need to arrange warning notices or traffic control which may require liaising with the local highways department. Ensure the owner of any overhead power lines within two tree lengths of any tree to be felled, is consulted immediately about the proposed work and is given sufficient time for the line to be diverted, made dead or for other precautions to be taken.
6. Ladders Ladders are often used for quick jobs that require someone to work at height or to reach something that has been stored at height. The significant hazards associated with the use of ladders are:
Working at height; Failure of the ladder itself, causing persons or equipment to fall/items falling from the ladder; Touching/earthing an electrical supply; Over-reaching or stretching from the ladder in order to reach a position; Slipping of the ladder due to not being correctly secured; Overloading or inappropriate use of the ladder.
Ladders should always be checked thoroughly before use, checking the stiles, rungs are in good condition and the feet should be in place. When positioning a ladder it should be on firm and stable ground and secured by a rope or other stabilisation device, never secure a ladder by the rungs. Ladders should be angled to provide suitably stability (one out for every four up), where using extending ladders rungs should be suitably overlapped (2 rungs if <5 metres, 3 rungs if >5 metres) also ensure they are properly hooked in. It is essential to ensure that the ladder is long enough for the task and should extend at least a metre above any landing place unless anther handhold is available. Ensure that only one person is on a ladder at any given time, a suitable tool belt should be used to carry tools and equipment up a ladder to ensure that three points of contact can be maintained with the ladder at any given time. Ladders should be marked so that they are individually identifiable and stored properly.
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Land Management Department Nick Watson MRICS FAAV Tel: 01273 407051
[email protected] Farming Department Will Gemmill BSc FAAV MBPR (Agric) Tel: 01245 258201
[email protected] Development Land and New Homes Simon Kibblewhite BSc (Hons), BA, FRICS, MCIArb Tel: 020 7318 5177
[email protected] Accounting and Taxation Services Will Gemmill BSc FAAV MBPR (Agric) Tel: 01245 254607
[email protected] Town and Country Planning Department Craig Noel BA MSc Dip Up FRGS MRTPI Tel: 01273 473411
[email protected] Building Surveying Michael Verity MA MRICS FAAV Tel: 01244 354854
[email protected] National Estate Agency Michael Fiddes BA MRICS Tel: 020 7318 5192
[email protected] Estate & Farm Agency Mark McAndrew MRICS Tel: 020 7318 5171
[email protected] Health & Safety David Canty BSc MBPR (Agric) Tel: 01727 790480
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Every effort has been made to ensure the information provided within this document is fully accurate. However Strutt & Parker LLP accept no responsibility if recipients should act upon any of the information without seeking the appropriate professional advice.
