Farmwise: Your essential guide to health and safety in agriculture ...

London: TSO

Health and Safety Executive

FarmwiseYour essential guide to health and safety in agriculture

This is a free-to-download, web-friendly version of HSG270 (Third edition, published 2017). This version has been adapted for online use from HSE’s current printed version.

You can buy the book at https://books.hse.gov.uk and most bookshops.

ISBN 978 0 7176 6664 5 Price £10.00

This book provides guidance that is relevant to everyone working on farms: employers, employees and the self-employed. It will help you achieve good standards of health and safety, and reduce injuries and ill health by identifying causes, eliminating hazards and controlling risks.

It covers the management of health and safety – principally for those responsible for running the farming or horticultural business – as well as outlining the specific risks of working in your industry and giving you easy-to-follow, practical advice to keep you safe and healthy at work.

The third edition contains updated guidance on building in light of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. It has also been updated to include other references to legislation and guidance.

HSG270 (Third edition, published 2017)

© Crown copyright 2017

First published 2012

Second edition 2013

Third edition 2017

Published with the permission of the Health and Safety Executive on behalf of the Controller of

Her Majesty’s Stationery Office

ISBN 978 0 7176 6664 5

This information is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. To view this licence visit:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/

Some images and illustrations in this publication may not be owned by the Crown and cannot be

reproduced without permission of the copyright owner. Where we have identified any third-party copyright

information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

Enquiries should be sent to [email protected]

This guidance is issued by the Health and Safety Executive. Following the guidance is not compulsory,

unless specifically stated, and you are free to take other action. But if you do follow the guidance you will

normally be doing enough to comply with the law. Health and safety inspectors seek to secure compliance

with the law and may refer to this guidance.

Printed in the United Kingdom for The Stationery Office

J003395038 C25 11/17

Acknowledgements

Thanks to the following organisations for their help in providing images:

AGCO LimitedCLAAS (UK) LimitedCollinson plcHereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service

Published by TSO (The Stationery Office), part of Williams Lea Tag, and available from:

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Farmwise: Your essential guide to health and safety in agriculture: SECTION 1 heading title goes in here

ContentsForeword iv

Introduction 1 Managing health and safety 2

1 Benefitsofpreventingincidents 2

2 Organisingforhealthandsafety 3

3 Riskassessment 5

4 Consultingemployees 7

5 Contractorsandfamilyworkers 8

6 Trainingandskills 11

7 Firstaid,emergenciesandreporting 12

Safety 14

8 Preventingfalls 14

9 Buildingwork 18

10 Workplacetransport 20

11 Selectingandusingworkequipment 23

12 Maintenancework 25

13 Workplacesafetyandwelfare 27

14 Electricity 29

15 Childandpublicsafety 31

16 Handlinglivestock 33

17 Chainsawsandtreework 35

Staying healthy 38

18 COSHHandhealth 38

19 Healthproblemsinagriculture 39

20 Pesticidesandveterinarymedicines 42

21 Manualhandling 44

22 Noiseandvibration 47

23 Personalprotectiveequipment(PPE) 49

Agriculture news 51

AgricultureeBulletins 51

AgricultureRSSnewsfeed 51

Further information 52

Farmwise:Youressentialguidetohealthandsafetyinagriculture

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Farmwise:YouressentialguidetohealthandsafetyinagricultureForeword

Foreword

Rick BruntHeadofVulnerableWorkers,Agriculture,WasteandRecyclingUnitHealthandSafetyExecutive

SinceFarmwisewasfirstproduced,in1992,ithasreachedawideaudienceintheagriculturalindustry.Thislatesteditioncontinuestoprovidepracticaladviceandguidancetohelpyouachievegoodstandardsofhealthandsafety–andreduceinjuriesandillhealth.

Thepersistentlyhighratesoffatalincidentsandwork-relatedillhealthintheindustryareofrealconcerntoHSE,therepresentativeindustrybodiesandmanyfarmers.HSEiscontinuallyworkingtousenewtechnologiesandinnovativemethodsofcommunicationtoimprove,targetanddeliverkeyhealthandsafetymessagesandguidancetothoseworkingintheindustry.

Injuriesandillnesscanruinlivesandbusinesses.Solutionsareoftensimpleandcheapandthepeoplebestplacedtomakefarmssaferarefarmersandtheiremployees.Healthandsafetyisafundamentalrequirementofasustainablefarmingbusinessandshouldberegardedasanessentialpartoffarmbusinessmanagement.Unwiserisk-takingisanunderlyingproblemintheindustryandthoseworkingontheirownareespeciallyvulnerable.

Ihopeyoufindthetimetoreadthesectionsrelevanttoyou,yourbusinessoryourplaceofwork.HSE’seffortsalonewillnotbuildasaferandhealthierindustry.Itisforeveryoneinagricultureandthewiderfoodchaintoplaytheirpart.Ihopethisbookletencouragesyoutotacklehealthandsafetyinyourworkplacetodayandinthefuture.

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Farmwise:Youressentialguidetohealthandsafetyinagriculture Introduction

Introduction Inthelasttenyears,almostonepersonaweekhasbeenkilledasadirectresultofagriculturalwork.Manymorehavebeenseriouslyinjuredormadeillbytheirwork.

ThisbooklethasbeenpreparedbytheHealthandSafetyExecutive(HSE)tohelpyouto:

■ effectivelymanagehealth,safetyandwelfare; ■ complywiththelaw; ■ carryouttheriskassessmentsthatyoumustdo,eg

undertheManagementofHealthandSafetyatWorkRegulations1999;

■ worksafelyandhealthily.

Theguidanceinthisbookletisrelevanttoeveryoneworkingonfarms,whetheremployer,employeeorself-employed,andwillhelpyouidentifythecausesofinjuriesandillhealth,eliminatehazardsandcontrolrisks.Thefirstpartcoversmanaginghealthandsafetyandisprimarilyaimedatthoseresponsibleforrunningthefarmingorhorticulturalbusiness(partners,directorsandsoletraders)butwillalsobeof interesttoothers.

Theothersectionscoverspecificrisksinyourindustryandgiveyoueasy-to-follow,practicaladvicetokeepyousafeandhealthyatwork.

Inthisbooklet:

■ ‘must’indicatesadefinitelegalrequirement; ■ ‘dosanddon’ts’,‘shoulds’and‘shouldnots’andother

recommendationsrepresentgoodpracticetohelpyoudowhatisreasonablypracticable;

■ ‘thinkabout’,‘consider’andsimilarphrasescontainatiporhintwhichmaynotamounttoapreciselegalrequirementbutindicateanapproachtoahealthandsafetyproblemwhichoughttobeconsidered;

■ ‘reasonablypracticable’meansthatthedegreeofriskinaparticularjoborworkplaceneedstobebalancedagainstthetime,trouble,costandphysicaldifficultyoftakingmeasurestoavoidorreducetherisk.Inotherwords,ifyoucanshowthataparticularriskisinsignificantinrelationtotheeffortneededtoreduceit,youneeddonomore;

■ a‘safeguard’isameansofreducingrisktohealthand/orsafety.

Thebookletformsthebasisofhealthandsafetyadviceforagriculture.YouwillfindfurtheradviceintheseriesofAgricultureInformationSheets(AIS),aswellasother,moregeneral,HSEpublications.EachsectioncontainsreferencestosomeoftheothermostrelevantHSEpublications.YoucanalsolookatHSE’sagriculturewebsite:www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture.

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Farmwise:YouressentialguidetohealthandsafetyinagricultureManaging health and safety

1 Benefits of preventing incidentsPeoplehavearighttoreturnhomefromworksafeandsound.Goodfarmersandemployersrecognisethebenefitsofreducingincidentsandillhealthamongtheirworkers,andareawareofthefinancialandotherreasonstoaimforandmaintaingoodstandardsofhealthandsafety.

Thepersonalcostsofinjuryandillhealthcanbedevastating.Lifeisneverthesameagainforfamilymembersleftbehindafterawork-relateddeath,orforthoselookingaftersomeonewithalong-termillnessorseriousinjurycausedbytheirwork.

Managingrisksinasensiblewayprotectsyou,yourfamily,yourworkersandyourbusinessandcanbringthefollowingbenefits:

■ areductionininjuriesandillhealthandtheresultingfinancialandpersonalcosts;

■ improvedproductivity,goodmoraleandahappier,healthierworkforce;

■ betterfarmingpracticetohelpdevelopasustainablefarmingbusiness;

■ theabilitytocarryoutweather-criticaloperationsattherighttime;

■ reducedsicknesspaymentsandrecruitment/trainingcostsforreplacementworkers;

■ reducedlossofoutputresultingfromexperiencedandcompetentworkersbeingoffwork;

■ longerlifeforequipmentandmachinery; ■ lesschanceofdamagetomachinery,buildingsand

product; ■ lowerinsurancepremiumsandlegalcosts; ■ lesschanceofenforcementactionanditscosts,egthe

costofdealingwithanincidentand/orfines; ■ reducedriskofdamagetothereputationofthe

business.

Injuries and ill health in agriculture

Farmingisahazardousindustry.Farmersandfarmworkersworkwithpotentiallydangerousmachinery,vehicles, chemicals,livestock,atheightornearpitsandsilos.Theyareexposedtotheeffectsofbadweather,noiseanddust.Therisksalsoincludefamilymembersworkingatthefarmandchildrenlivingatthefarm.

Agriculturalworkcanalsobephysicallydemandingandtherepetitivenatureoftheworkcausesarangeofhealth problems,includingseverebackpain.

Around430000peopleworkinagriculture,whichincludesfarminganduseofthecountryside.Thisislessthan1.5%oftheworkingpopulation,yetagriculturehasoneofthehighestfatalityratesofallindustriesandisresponsibleforbetween15%and20%ofalldeathstoworkersinBritaineachyear.

The costs and causes of death and injury Thetotalannualcostofinjuries(infarming,forestryand horticulture)tosocietyisestimatedat£190million1andaroundtwo-thirdsofthatisduetoreportableinjuries(£130million),withfatalitiesaccountingforaroundanotherthird(£55million).

Themostcommoncausesofdeathare:

■ transport–beingstruckbymovingvehicles; ■ beingstruckbyamovingorfallingobject,egbales,treesetc; ■ fallsfromheight; ■ asphyxiationordrowning; ■ contactwithmachinery; ■ injurybyananimal; ■ beingtrappedbysomethingcollapsingoroverturning; ■ contactwithelectricity,nearlytwo-thirdsofwhichinvolves

overheadpowerlines(OHPLs).

Manymoreinjuriesarenon-fatal.Lessthanhalfofreportableinjuriesacrossallindustrysectorsarereportedeachyear;farfewerforagriculture,forestryandfishing.Surveyssuggestthatonly16%ofthemostseriousinjuriestoagriculturalworkers,reportablebylaw,areactuallyreported.HSEestimatesupto10000injuriesannuallyareunreported.Eachoneinvolvescoststotheinjuredpersonandtothebusiness.

Themostcommoncausesofnon-fatalinjuriesare:

■ handling,liftingorcarrying; ■ slip,triporfallonthesamelevel; ■ beingstruckbymoving,includingflyingorfalling,objects; ■ fallsfromheight; ■ contactwithmachinery; ■ beinginjuredbyananimal.

Peopleworkingintheindustrycanalsobepermanentlydisabledbyillhealth.Breathingindusts,handlingloads,beingexposedtonoiseorvibration,usingchemicalsandworkingwithanimalscanallcauseillhealth,withsymptomsthatcantakeyearstodevelop.Insomecasesthiscanresultinprematuredeath.

Manydonotconsulttheirdoctorunlessseriouslyill,solevelsofillhealthareunclear.However,inagriculture:

■ about12000peoplesufferedfromanillnesswhichwascausedormadeworsebytheircurrentormostrecentjob;

■ musculoskeletalinjury(backpain,sprainsorstrains)isoverthreetimestherateforallindustries;

■ thenumberofpeopleaffectedbyasthmaistwicethenationalaverage;

■ about20000peopleareaffectedbyzoonoses(diseasespassedfromanimalstohumans)eachyear.

Workersmaybeexposedtoextremeheat,cold,highhumidityandradiationfromdirectandprolongedexposuretothesun(allofwhichimposesstressontheworker).Theymayalsobeexposedtoexcessivevibration,noise,ormayhavetoworkinuncomfortablepositionsforlongperiodsandhandleawiderangeofchemicalssuchasfertilisersorpesticides.

Followingtheadviceinthisbookletwillhelpreducetheriskof sufferingawork-relatedinjuryorillhealth. 1 Source:Costs to Britain of workplace injuries and work-related ill health: 2010/11 updateHSE2010.

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2 Organising for health and safetyAsfarmersandgrowers,youusemanagementsystemstomake

surethatcropsandanimalsarekepthealthyandproductive,andtoenableyoutostayinbusiness.Youplanwhattoplantandwhen,assesstherisksofdiseasesandotherincidentsthatmayspoilthecroporanimal.Youcontrolanyproblems,monitorgrowth,decidewhentoharvest,andstoreproductsinawaythatensurestheystayfresh.Youalsoworkouthowsuccessfulyouhavebeenandcomeupwithimprovements.

Managinghealthandsafetyisnodifferent–youneedtomanageittomakesurethatyou,yourworkers,familymembersandothersarekeptsafeatwork.Thisadviceisaimedatdirectorsandmanagersbutshouldalsohelpsupervisorsandownersofsmallbusinesses.

Ifyoufollowthefivestepsinthissectiontheyshouldhelpyoutomanagehealthandsafetyproperly,complywiththelawandprotectyourworkersandyourbusiness.

Step 1: Set your policy Youneedapolicytosetoutyouractionplanonhealthandsafetytoimprovestandardsintheworkplace.Itmustbeinwritingifyouemployfiveormorepeople,andneedstobecarefullyprepared,wellthoughtout,uptodateandbasedonrealcommitment.

Yourpolicyshould:

■ bespecifictoyourfarm; ■ stateyourgeneralaimsforyouremployees’healthand

safety.You,astheemployer,shouldsignanddatethepolicytoshowclearlyyourcommitmenttoit;

■ acceptthatoverallresponsibilityforhealthandsafetyrestswithyou,astheemployer;

■ outlinethevariousresponsibilitiesparticularpeoplehaveformakingthepolicyareality;

■ describethesystemsandproceduresinplaceforensuringthehealthandsafetyofyouremployees;

■ setouthowyouwillletyourworkersknowaboutit,egbygivingthemacopyandcheckingthattheyfollowtherulesandinstructionsinit;

■ bereviewedfromtimetotimeandrevisedifyourorganisationchangesortherearenewhazards;

■ besupportedbyenoughmoney,peopleandtimetoputitintoaction;

■ influenceallyouractivities,includingselectingpeople,equipmentandmaterials,andthewayworkisdone.

Step 2: Organise your workers Tomakeyourpolicyworkyouneedtogeteveryoneinvolved.Therearefourpartstothis‘positivehealthandsafetyculture’,basedongoodbusinessmanagementpractice:

■ Communication:Provideinformationabouthazards,risksandprecautionstoemployeesandcontractors;discusshealthandsafetyregularly;andleadbyexampletoleteveryoneknowthathealthandsafetyisimportant.

■ Co-operation:Consultyourworkersandanyrepresentatives;involveworkersinplanninghowtodotheworkandreviewhowthingshavegone,workingoutsafemethodsandsolvingproblems.

■ Competence:Assessthequalitiesandskillsneededtocarryoutjobssafely,particularlyforespeciallydangerouswork;makesureallemployees,includingmanagersandtemporaryworkers,areadequatelyinstructedandtrained;andarrangeforaccesstoadviceandhelp.

■ Control:Demonstrateyourcommitmentandprovidecleardirection;identifypeopleresponsibleforparticularhealthandsafetyjobs;andmakesureeveryoneunderstandstheirresponsibilitiesandtheconsequencesiftheydoordonotcarrythemout.

The law

TheHealthandSafetyatWorketcAct1974(HSWA)andtheManagementofHealthandSafetyatWorkRegulations1999placedutiesoncompaniesandindividualstomakesurethatadequateprovisionismadeforhealthandsafetyatwork.Employersmustensure,sofarasisreasonablypracticable,thehealth,safetyandwelfareofemployeesandanyotherswhomaybeaffectedbywhattheydo.

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Step 3: Plan and set standards Planningisthekeytomakingsurethatyourhealthandsafetyeffortsreallyworkandinvolvessettingobjectivesandstandards,assessingrisks(seesection3‘Riskassessment’)anddevelopingapositivehealthandsafetyculture.

Managementstandardsaresettoshowhowplansoractionscanbeconsistentlydelivered.Youprobablysetstandardseverydaytoachievebestperformanceyieldsonyourfarm.

Yourhealthandsafetystandardswillsetoutwhatpeoplewilldotomakeyourpolicyworkandcontrolrisk.Theyshouldidentifywhodoeswhat,whenandwithwhatresult.

Step 4: Check how you are doing Youcancheckhowsuccessfulyouareinmanaginghealthandsafetyintwoways:

■ Beforethingsgowrong,byfindingoutwhetheryouareachievingthestandardsyouhavesetwithregularinspectionandmonitoring.Thiscanbewithspotchecksorthoroughinspections.

■ Afterthingsgowrong,byinvestigatingdamagetoproperty,injury,illhealthandworkingoutwhythestandardswerenotmet.

Step 5: Learn from experience Monitoringallowsyoutoreviewactivitiesanddecidehowtoimproveperformance.Audits,byyourownworkersoroutsiders,canhelpyoutoseeifyourpolicy,organisationandsystemsareactuallydeliveringthedesiredresult.

Learnfromyourexperiencesandusewhatyoulearnfrommonitoringandauditingtoimproveyourapproachtomanaginghealthandsafety.Whenyoureviewyourpolicy,payparticularattentionto:

■ howwellyouarecomplyingwiththelawandanynationalstandardsthatapply,egBritishandEuropeanStandardsformachineryguarding;

■ howwellyouarecomplyingwithanymanagementstandardsyousetforyourself;

■ whetheryouhaveidentifiedanythingmissingfromyourhealthandsafetyarrangementsthatyoumayneedtochangeorrectify;

■ ifyouhaveachievedyourobjectiveswithingiventimescales;

■ injury,illnessandincidentsandunderstandingthecauses,trendsandcommonfeatures.

Theseindicatorswillshowyouwhereyouneedtoimprove.

Find out more

Managing health and safety: Five steps to success INDG275Health and safety toolbox: How to control risk at work: www.hse.gov.uk/toolbox

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3 Risk assessment

What is risk assessment?

Riskassessmentisacarefullookatwhat,inyourbusiness,couldcauseharmtopeople,sothatyoucandecidewhetheryouhavetakenenoughprecautionsorshoulddomore.Thelawdoesnotexpectyoutoeliminaterisk,buttoprotectpeopleasfaras‘reasonablypracticable’.Takingactionbasedonyourassessmentiswhatmatters.

How do I assess the risk?

Followthesefivesteps:

Step 1: What are the hazards? A‘hazard’isanythingthatmightcauseharm,suchasworkingfromladders,orelectricity.The‘risk’isthechancethatsomeonecouldbeharmedbythesehazards.

■ Spothazardsbywalkingaroundyourworkplaceandwatchinghowpeoplework.

■ Learnfromexperience.Thinkcarefullyaboutanypastincidentsorillnessesasthesecanhelpyoupickoutthelessobvioushazards.

■ Askpeoplewhoworkforyouwhattheythink.Theymayhavespottedsomethingyouhavenotnoticed.

■ Checkthemanufacturer’sinstructionsforequipmentordatasheetsforchemicalstohelpyouspotthehazards.

■ Don’tforgettothinkaboutlong-termhealthhazardsaswellasthemoreobvioussafetyhazards.

Step 2: Who might be harmed and how? Foreachhazardyouneedtobeclearaboutwhomightbeharmed,egemployees,casualworkers,membersofthepublic,contractorsandfamily,especiallychildren.Thinkaboutthemorevulnerablepeople,eguntrainedornewworkers,expectantmothers,visitorsandmaintenanceworkers.

Workouthowtheymightbeharmedandhow,egbeingkilledbyabaleorvehicle,injuredbyfallingthroughafragileroof,orsufferinglong-termhealthproblemsfrombreathingingraindust.

The law

TheManagementofHealthandSafetyatWorkRegulations1999placedutiesonemployersandtheself-employedtomakeasuitableandsufficientassessmentoftheriskstotheirownhealthandsafetyandthatofothersfromtheworktheydo.Thisincludesemployees,anycasualworkers,part-timers,trainees,customersorcontractors.Itwillalsoincludethosewhomaybeaffectedbyworkactivities,egneighbours,salespeople,membersofthepublicetc.

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Step 3: Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions

Foreachhazardyouneedtolookatwhatyouarealreadydoing,thecontrolsyouhaveinplaceandthewaytheworkisorganised,andcompareittowhatisneededtocomplywiththelaw.HSE’swebsite(www.hse.gov.uk)containslotsofadvicetohelpyoudothis.Ifthereisagapbetweenwhatyouaredoingandwhatyoushouldbedoing,thenyoumusttakeaction.

Forexample,ifyouhadanunguardedpowertake-off(PTO)shaftitwouldbenogoodtosimplytellworkersnottogonearit.Whatyouneedtodotocomplywiththelawishaveawell-maintainedandeffectiveguard.Inthiscasethereisabiggapbetweenwhatisinplaceandwhatshouldbeinplace.Youwouldhavetotakeactiontoinstallanewguardandthenmaintainitingoodworkingorder.

Ifyoucan,youmusteliminatethehazardaltogether,butifyoucannotdothis,thenyoumustcontroltherisksinthefollowingorder:

■ Introducealessriskyoption,egswitchtoalessharmfulchemical.

■ Preventaccesstothehazard,egsecurelycoverorfenceaslurrypitorguardamachine.

■ Organiseworktoreduceexposuretothehazard,egputbarriersbetweenpeopleandmovingvehicles.

■ Providepersonalprotectiveequipment(PPE),egclothingorfootwear.

■ Providewelfarefacilities,egfirstaidandshowersforremovingcontamination.

Step 4: Put the results into practice Ariskassessmentisnotanendinitself.Itwillnotstopsomeonedying,beinginjuredormadeill.Thiswillonlyhappenifyoutakeactiontodealwiththehazardsandrisksyoufind.

Ifyoufindtherearequiteafewimprovementsneeded,bigandsmall,don’ttrytodoeverythingatonce.Dealwiththemostimportantthingsfirst,egthosethatcouldkill,seriouslyinjureorcauseseriousillness.

Makesureeveryonewhoworksonyourfarmknowsabouttheresultsofyourassessmentandunderstandsthecontrolsyouhaveputinplace.Shareinformationabouthazardsandriskswiththosewhoneedit,egtellcontractorsaboutasbestosinbuildings.

Ifyouemployfiveormorepeoplethenyoumustwritedownthesignificantfindingsofyourassessment.ExamplesofcompletedriskassessmentsareontheHSEwebsite:www.hse.gov.uk.

Step 5: Check controls stay in place and review the assessment

Regularlycheckyourcontrolsstayinplace.Youneedtoensureyouarestillimprovingoratleastnotlettingstandardsslipback.

Noworkplaceremainsthesame.Soonerorlateryouwillbuynewequipmentorchangewaysofworkingthatmightbringinnewhazards.Ifthereisasignificantchangeyouneedtorespondtoitstraightawayandreviewyourassessment.

Whynotdecideonanannualdatetoreviewyourriskassessment,sothateveniftherehavenotbeenanysignificantchangesduringtheyear,youleaveyourselfsomeflexibilitytoanticipatechangeandensurenothingismissed?

Find out more

Informationonriskmanagementatwww.hse.gov.uk/riskHealth and safety toolbox: How to control risk at work: www.hse.gov.uk/toolbox

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4 Consulting employees

What must I consult about?

Employersmustconsultemployeesontheirhealthandsafetyatwork.Wherethereisnorecognisedunion,youcanchoosetodothisdirectlywithindividualsorthroughrepresentativeselectedfromtheworkforce,oruseacombinationofboth.

Youmustconsultaboutanythingthatcouldsignificantlyaffectemployeehealthandsafety,whichincludes:

■ changessuchasnewordifferentprocedures,typesofwork,equipmentorwaysofworking,egsafesystemsofworkforsharpeningknivesonforageharvesters;

■ arrangementsforgettingcompetentpeople(thosewithenoughexperience,knowledgeandtraining)tohelpyousatisfyhealthandsafetylaws;

■ thebestwaytoshareinformationthatmustbegiventoemployees.Considerissuesoflanguage,literacyanddisability,ifappropriate;

■ planninghealthandsafetytraining; ■ thehealthandsafetyconsequencesofintroducingnew

technology,egnewtransmissionsystemsontractors.

What does consultation involve?

Consultationinvolvesnotonlygivinginformationtoemployeesbutalsolisteningtothemandtakingaccountofwhattheysaybeforemakingdecisions.Youremployeesoftenknowbestaboutthehealthandsafetyissuesinyourworkplaceandhowtodealwiththem.

Youshouldtellthemabout:

■ therisksanddangersarisingfromtheirwork; ■ whatyouhaveinplacetocontrolthoserisks; ■ whattheyshoulddoifexposedtoarisk,includingwhat

todoinanemergency.

Makesureallemployees,includingthosewhohavetroubleunderstandingEnglish,haveunderstoodtheinformationyouhavegiventothem.

When should I consult?

Therearenohardandfastrulesaboutwhenyoushouldconsultorforhowlong,butitmustbein‘goodtime’soemployeeshaveachancetothinkaboutwhatyousaidbeforegivingtheirviews.Therearealsolotsofwaysyoumaychoosetoconsult,egwithindividualface-to-facediscussionorweeklymeetings.Itisoftenbettertohaveasimplewayofconsultingratherthansomethingcomplicated.

What are the benefits?

Talkingtoemployeesabouthealthandsafetycanresultin:

■ healthierandsaferworkplaces; ■ betterdecisionsabouthealthandsafety; ■ astrongercommitmenttoputtingdecisionsintopractice; ■ greaterco-operationandtrust; ■ jointproblem-solving.

Consulting recognised union representatives

UndertheSafetyRepresentativesandSafetyCommitteesRegulations1977(asamended),atradeunioncanappointsafetyrepresentativesfromamongitsmembers,eachofwhomhasaparticularfunction,includinginvestigatinghazards,incidentsandcomplaints,andbeingconsultedbytheemployeronhealthandsafetyissues.

Consultationdoesnotremoveyourrightasanemployertomanage.Youmuststillmakethefinaldecision,buttalkingtoyouremployeesisanimportantpartofsuccessfullymanaginghealthandsafety.

The law

Employershaveadutytoconsultemployeesabouthealthandsafety.Wheretherearerecognisedtradeunions,theSafetyRepresentativesandSafetyCommitteesRegulations1977(asamended)apply.Whereemployeesarenotunionmembers,ortheunionisnotrecognised,theHealthandSafety(ConsultationwithEmployees)Regulations1996(asamended)apply.Employmentarrangementsvaryandthoseyouneedtoconsultcanincludeemployees,independentcontractorsandagencypersonnel.Someworkerswhoareself-employedfortaxpurposesareclassedasemployeesunderhealthandsafetylaw.

Find out more

Consulting employees on health and safety: A brief guide to the law INDG232(rev2)

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5 Contractors and family workersIfyouareself-employed(meaningapersonwhoworksfor

gainorrewardotherthanunderacontractofemployment),whetherornotyouemployothers,healthandsafetylawplacesadutyonyoutoensurethehealthandsafetyofeveryonewhomaybeaffectedbythewayyourunyourbusinessordoyourwork.

Seesection9‘Buildingwork’forinformationabouthowtheConstruction(DesignandManagement)Regulations2007applytoyouifyouusecontractorsforbuildingwork.

Contractors

Contractorsareoftenusedforparticularlyhazardousjobs,suchascleaningglasshouseroofs,repairingotherfragileroofs,orcleaningoutslurrystores.Someroutinelyvisitfarms,egforseasonalworkorfortechnicalexpertise,suchasagronomists.

Ifyouusecontractorsforanywork,whethershort-term,suchasforsilagemaking,orformajorconstructionprojects,suchasbuildingagrainstore,youcannotsimplytellthemwhattodoandletthemgetonwithit.Incidentsmayhappenbecausecontractorsdonotknowaboutdangersonthefarmoryourworkersdonotrealisethatcontractorsareonsite.

Selecting the contractor

Whenengaginganycontractor,whetheranindividualorbusiness:

■ appointtherightpeoplebyassessingwhethertheyarecompetent.Talktothemabouttheirexperienceandskillsinthetypeofworkyouwantdone.Askneighbourswhohaveusedthemabouttheirperformance.Checkforevidenceofappropriatepesticideorchainsawcertification(egcertificatesofcompetence),orchecktheirmembershipofatradeorprofessionalbody;

■ checktheyhaveenoughresources,suchaspeopleandequipment,todotheworksafely;

■ provideinformationtheyneedtocarryoutriskassessmentsrelevanttothehazardsonyourfarm,suchaswhereoverheadpowerlinesrun,orrisksfromworkinginareasoccupiedbyanimals.Youandyourworkersmaybefamiliarwiththem,butcontractorsmaynot;

■ checktheyunderstandthestandardsofhealthandsafetymanagementyouexpectofthem;

■ agreehowyouwillco-operateandco-ordinatewitheachother.

Planning the work

Ifyouwantthejobtobedoneproperlyitisworthagreeingbeforehandexactlywhatistobedone,bywhom,andhow.Talkabouttheworkingarrangementswiththecontractor,inparticularwhatproceduresforsafeworkingwillbefollowed.Consider:

■ safesystemsofworkgenerally,egonfragileroofs,orseparatingpeoplefrommovingvehiclesinthefarmyard;

■ yourownoperationswhichmayaffectthecontractor’swork,egtheneedforcattletobebroughtintotheyardwhereworkisgoingon;

■ whatmachineryandequipmentwillbeused,egareedgesofditches,dykesorslurrylagoonsstrongenoughtosupporttheweightofthemachinery?

■ whatthearrangementsforsupervisionwillbe.Makesurethatsomeonekeepsaneyeoncontractorsonsiteandthattheyfollowthesafemethodofworking;

The law

TheHealthandSafetyatWorketcAct1974placesdutiesontheemployerandcontractorstoprotect,sofarasisreasonablypracticable,thehealthandsafetyofemployeesandotherpeoplewhomaybeaffectedbyyourworkactivities.TheManagementofHealthandSafetyatWorkRegulations1999requireallemployerswhoshareaworkplace,includingonatemporarybasis,toco-operatewitheachotherandco-ordinatetheirworktomakesureeveryonecancomplywiththelaw.

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■ workthatisparticularlyhazardous,wherethesafemethodmaybetoocomplexforpeopletorememberandshouldbewrittendown.Methodstatements,permits-to-workorsimilartightlycontrolledsystemsofworkwillbeneededfortaskssuchasworkinginaconfinedspaceinasealedgrainorforagesilo.

Makesurethecontractor’semployeesunderstandyourrulesforsafeworking,aswellasthehazardsandprecautions,andthatyouunderstandtheirs.Eachnewemployeecomingonsiteshouldreceiveappropriateinstructionandtrainingandbemadeawareofthehazardsinyourworkplaceandanyemergencyplans,egwhattodoifthereisafire.

Controlling contractors on site

Checkwhatthecontractorsdoonsiteandthattheyarestickingtothesafesystemofworktheyhavetoldyoutheywillfollow.Keeptheminformedabouthazardsandchangestoplansorsystemsofworkwhichmayaffecthealthandsafety.Youneedtomakesuretheyarenotputatriskbyyourwork,andthattheydonotinterferewithyoursafeguards.Ifthereisaproblemandhealthandsafetystandardsarenotbeingmet,youneedtofindoutwhyandtakeaction.

Who is an employee and who is self-employed? Workerswillnormallybeconsideredtobeyouremployees,irrespectiveofwhethertheyaretreatedasself-employedfortaxandNationalInsurancepurposes,ifworkingarrangementsareconsistentwithacontractofemployment.Amongotherthingsthismeansyou:

■ tellthemwhattimetobeginandfinishwork,andagreetheirholidayperiods;

■ tellthemwhatjobstodo,howtheyshouldbedone, andinwhatorder;

■ providethetoolsandmaterialsforthetaskscarriedout.

Ifworkersworkmainlyforyourbusiness,workinanagreedway,usetoolsandmaterialssuppliedbyyou,andareunderyourcontrolthentheywillprobablyberegardedasyouremployeesforhealthandsafetypurposes.Ifthisissothenhealthandsafetylawswillapplytoyouinthesamewayastoanyotheremployer.Employershavelegalresponsibilitiestoemployees,egintheprovisionoftrainingandhealthsurveillance,whichtheydonothavefortheself-employed.

Thetraditional‘self-employed’personorcontractorwhocarriesoutworkforyou,suchassilagemaking,canbeeasilydistinguished–theywillarrive,withinlimits,attheirownconvenience,packupwhentheywish,providetheirownworkequipmentetc,anddeviseawayofdoingthejobthatbestsuitsthem.Someonewhoistrulyself-employedwillbeincontrolof,andhaveastakein,theirbusinesswhichtheystandtoloseshouldthebusinessfail.

Family workers

Familyworkersmaybeself-employed,employees,partners,ordirectors:

■ Ifthebusinessisapartnershipandallthosewhoworkonthefarmatanytimeareincludedinthepartnershipagreement,theneachonewillberegardedasself-employed.

■ Ifthebusinessisa‘bodycorporate’,inotherwordsacompany,thenthecompanyisthe‘employer’.Directorsandothersworkingforthatcompanymaybe‘employees’or‘self-employed’.

■ Ifthebusinessisrunbyanindividualtradingontheirownaccountthentheyareself-employedandothersworkingforthemmaybe‘employees’or‘self-employed’.

Justaswithotherworkers,whetherornottheypaytheirowntaxorNationalInsurancemaybeirrelevantforhealthandsafetypurposes.Iffamilymembersworkmainlyforyourbusiness,aretoldhowtocarryoutthework,usetoolsandmaterialssuppliedbyyou,andareunderyourcontrolthentheywillprobablyberegardedasyouremployeesforhealthandsafetypurposes.Thismeanshealthandsafetylawswillapplytoyouinthesamewayastoanyotheremployer.

Temporary, casual and agency workers

Ifyouusetemporary,casualoragencyworkers,egtocarryoutharvestwork,youhavealegaldutytoensuretheirhealthandsafetywhiletheyareatworkonyourpremises.Whereworkersaresuppliedtoyoubyalabourprovider,whichmaybeagangmasteroremploymentagencyorbusiness,youshould:

■ agreewiththelabourproviderwhowilltakeresponsibilityforhealthandsafetymanagement,supervisionandtraining,providingandmaintaininganypersonalprotectiveequipmentand,whereappropriate,healthsurveillance.Thiscanbecoveredinawrittencontractorserviceagreement;

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■ makesureeachnewworkerisgiveninformationabouthazards,theprecautionsinplaceandunderstandswhattodoinanemergency.Thosenewtoaworkplaceandtothejobstobecarriedoutmaybeparticularlyvulnerabletoharm;

■ makesurethefindingsofanyassessments,includingriskassessment,arecommunicatedtoworkersinaformtheycanunderstand;

■ makearrangementsforthehealthandsafetyofpeoplewhohavelittleornoknowledgeoftheEnglishlanguage;

■ checktheworkerhasanyspecialskillsoroccupationalqualificationsneededforthejob;

■ arrangeforwelfarefacilitiesandaccommodationwherenecessary.

ItisanoffenceundertheGangmasters(Licensing)Act2004forfarmersorgrowerstouseworkersorservicesprovidedbyanunlicensedlabourproviderinagriculture,forestryandhorticulture(aswellasinotherindustries).

Employmentagencies(whointroduceworkerstoanemployertheywillworkforpermanently,perhapsonashort-termorfixedcontract)andemploymentbusinesses(whoplaceworkerswithanemployerbutkeepacontractwiththem)havespecificlegaldutiesundertheConductofEmploymentAgenciesandEmploymentBusinessesRegulations2003toprovideinformationtothebusinessesthatusetheirworkers.

Formoreinformation,visitthefollowingsites:

■ GangmastersandLabourAbuseAuthority: www.gla.gov.uk;

■ AssociationofLabourProviders:www.labourproviders.org.uk,andforemploymentagencies/businesses: www.gov.uk/employment-agencies-and-businesses/overview;

■ HSE’smigrantworkerswebsite:www.hse.gov.ukanditsmigrantworkersandagency/temporaryworkerswebsite:www.hse.gov.uk/vulnerable-workers/agency-temporary-workers.htm.

Lone workers

Loneworkersarethosewhoworkbythemselveswithoutcloseordirectsupervision.Puttinginplacesafeworkingarrangementsforloneworkersisnodifferenttoorganisingthesafetyofotheremployees.Whendecidingonsafeworkingarrangements,askyourself:

■ Cantherisksofthejobbeadequatelycontrolledbyoneperson?

■ Isthepersonmedicallyfitandsuitabletoworkalone? ■ Whattrainingisrequiredtoensurethepersonis

competentandcanworksafely? ■ Howwillthepersonbesupervised? ■ Whathappensifapersonbecomesill,isinjured,or

thereisanemergency?

Loneworkerscannotbeconstantlysupervised,butdecideonthelevelofsupervisionneededbasedonrisk,egthosenewtoajobmightneedtobeaccompaniedatfirst.Putproceduresinplacetoseetheyremainsafe,whichmayinclude:

■ someoneinauthorityregularlyvisitingtheworksite; ■ regularcontactbytelephoneorradio; ■ automaticwarningdeviceswhichoperateifspecific

signalsarenotreceivedperiodicallyfromthem; ■ checksthattheyhavereturnedtotheirbaseafteratask; ■ accesstoafirst-aidkit.

Find out more

Working alone: Health and safety guidance on the risks of lone working INDG73(rev3)Using contractors: A brief guide INDG368(rev1)

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6 Training and skills

Businessesachievinghighstandardsofhealthandsafetyatworkgiveahighprioritytohealthandsafetytrainingaspartoftheiroverallmanagementapproach.Traininginhowtouseotherprotectivemeasures,suchasguardsonmachines,PPEandsafemethodsofwork,isvital.

Todecidewhattrainingisrequired,youshouldtakeaccountofthecapabilities,knowledgeandexperienceofworkers.Theymayalsohaveparticulartrainingneeds,forexample:

■ newrecruitsneedbasictraininginhowtoworksafely,includingarrangementsforaccidentreporting,firstaidandfire;

■ temporaryorcasualworkerswillbeunfamiliarwiththeworkplaceandwillbemoreatrisk;

■ nonEnglish-speakingworkerswillrequireinformationinawaytheycaneasilyunderstand.Checktheirunderstandingandmonitorthemtomakesureitisputintopractice;

■ peoplechangingjobsortakingonextraresponsibilitiesneedtoknowaboutanynewhealthandsafetyimplicationsofthework;

■ youngemployeesareparticularlyvulnerabletoaccidents,sotheirtrainingshouldbeapriority;

■ somepeople’sskillsmaydeclineovertime,orbadhabitsmaydevelop,soconsiderrefreshertraining;

■ newtechnology,equipmentormachinerymayrequirenewskills;

■ new,inexperiencedoryoungemployeesneedadequatesupervisionfollowingtraining.

What is training?

Trainingcaninvolvevariousmethods,forexample:

■ instructionoron-the-jobtrainingdeliveredbyexperiencedworkers;

■ sessionswithqualifiedinstructorsorexternaltrainers; ■ attendinglocalcollegesortrainingcentres; ■ onagroupbasisorindividuallybypersonaltuition; ■ computer-basedorinteractivelearning.

Tohelpyoufindoutwhatisavailable,contact:

■ Lantra,thesectorskillscouncilfortheland-basedindustries;

■ tradeunionsortradeassociations; ■ collegesoffurtherorhighereducation; ■ privatetrainingorganisationsandtrainingproviders; ■ independenthealthandsafetyconsultants; ■ employerbodies(egchambersofcommerce); ■ qualificationawardingbodiessuchasCityandGuilds

NPTCorLantraAwards; ■ professionalindustryschemes; ■ localhealthandsafetygroups.

Recognisedstandardsofformaltrainingand/orcompetencearenormallyrequiredforusingchainsaws,treework,applyingpesticides,all-terrainvehicles(ATVs),forklifttrucksortelescopicmaterialshandlers,sheepdippingandfirstaid.

Vocational qualifications (VQs)

Thesehelpyouimproveknowledgeinaparticulararea,usuallythroughacollegeortrainingprovider,andfocusonpracticalskills.

TherearehealthandsafetyVQsspecifictoagricultureandhorticultureavailableattwolevelsofability,eachlevelrequiringupto30hoursofstudytime.Theywillenableworkersatalllevelsto:

■ understandhowincidentsandillhealthcanaffectbothpeopleandbusinesses;

■ beawareofthemaincausesofincidentsandillhealthintheindustryandhowtopreventthem;

■ understandthekeyelementsofthelawandwheretogetinformationandadvice.

Fortheself-employedormanagers,VQswillalsohelpthemto:

■ understandhowtodoriskassessmentsandtellworkersoftheoutcomes;

■ beawareofstandardsoftrainingandcompetenceforpeopleintheindustry;

■ selectcontractorsandworkequipmenttomeethealthandsafetyrequirements;

■ understandhowhealthandsafetyfitsinwiththeprinciplesofgoodmanagement.

ForinformationonVQssee:www.lantra.co.uk/awards/training-and-qualifications. www.nptc.org.uk/qualificationdefault.aspx

The law

TheHealthandSafetyatWorketcAct1974requiresyoutoprovidetheinformation,instruction,trainingandsupervisionnecessarytoensure,sofarasisreasonablypracticable,thehealthandsafetyatworkofyouremployees.TheManagementofHealthandSafetyatWorkRegulations1999alsospecifysituationswherehealthandsafetytrainingisparticularlyimportant,egwhenpeoplestartwork.Thereareanumberofotherregulationswithspecifictrainingrequirements,egforapplyingpesticides,operatingworkequipmentsuchaschainsaws,andfirstaid.

Find out more

Health and safety training: A brief guideINDG345(rev1)Rider-operated lift trucks: Operator training and safe use. Approved Code of PracticeL117Safe use of all-terrain vehicles AIS33(rev1)Chainsaws at workINDG317(rev2)

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7 First aid, emergencies and reporting

Inanybusinessthingssometimesgowrong.Youneedtobereadytodealwithunplannedeventsandlimitthedamagecaused.Thinkaboutemergenciessuchasseriousinjuries,fire,poisoning,electrocution,orchemicalspillsandplanfortheworstthatcouldhappen.Youmayneedawrittenemergencyplanifamajorincidentatyourpremisescouldinvolveriskstothepublic,rescuingemployeesorco-ordinatingtheemergencyservices,egwhereaccessintoslurrystoresorsilosisneeded,orif25tonnesormoreofdangeroussubstancessuchasLPGoroxidisingagentsarestored.

Considerwhatcouldgowrong,andtellworkers:

■ whatcouldhappen; ■ whattodo,includingcallingthefireorambulance

servicesandshuttingdownplant; ■ wheretogotoreachsafety,orgetrescueorfire-fighting

equipment; ■ howpeople(thoseinchargeandothers)willdealwith

theproblems.Haveyouidentifiedandaddressedtrainingneedsandallocatedresponsibilities?

Checkthat:

■ theemergencyserviceshavetheOSmapreferenceofyourpremises;

■ youhavemarkedtheentranceofyoursitewithahazardwarningsignandnotifiedyourlocalfireandrescueserviceifyouhaveover25tonnesofcertaindangeroussubstancesonsite,egoxidisingagents(suchascertainammoniumnitratefertilisers);

■ youhaveemergencyexitstoallowworkers,egingrainstores,toescapequickly,andsuitablearrangementstomakesurethatemergencydoorsandescaperoutesarekeptunobstructedandclearlymarkedatalltimes;

■ acompetentpersonhasbeennominatedtotakecontrol; ■ youhaveadequatefirst-aidequipmentandfirst-aiders; ■ peoplearetrainedinemergencyandevacuation

proceduresandhaverehearsedwhattodo.

First aid

Immediatelyandproperlyexaminingandtreatinginjuriesmaysavelifeandisessentialtoreducepainandhelpinjuredpeoplemakeaquickrecovery.Neglectingorinefficientlytreatinganapparentlytrivialinjurymayleadtoinfectionandillhealth.Allfarmsmusthavefirst-aidequipmentavailable,butwhatisappropriateforyouwilldependonthenatureofyourbusinessandthetypesofincidentthatmayhappen.

Youshould:

■ appointsomeonetotakechargeoffirst-aidarrangements,includinglookingaftertheequipmentandfacilitiesandcallingtheemergencyserviceswhenrequired.Anappointedpersonwillneedtobeavailablewheneverpeopleareatwork;

■ provideasuitablystockedfirst-aidcontainerwhichiseasilyaccessibleinanemergency;

■ provideinformationforemployeesonfirst-aidarrangements,egnoticestellingpeoplewherethefirst-aidequipment,facilitiesandpersonnelcanbefound.

Alsoremember:

■ Inagriculture,alotofworkmaybeinplacesremotefromemergencymedicalservices,soprovidetravellingfirst-aidkitstobecarriedontractorsetc,orwhenparticularlyhazardoustasks,suchasusingchainsaws,arebeingcarriedout.

■ Ifyouemploylargenumbersofworkersonsiteyoumayneedtoprovideafirst-aidroom,aqualifiedfirst-aider,orsomeonewithspecialisedfirst-aidtraining.

■ Somesubstancescanhaveseriouseffectsonhealth,egmoisture-activatedgassingcompoundssuchasaluminiumphosphideusedforvermincontrol.Allusersshouldmakesuretheyknowtheappropriatefirst-aidmeasurestotake.DiscussmedicaltreatmentwithyourGPandconsidertheneedformobilephonesorradiosiftheywouldreducethetimetakenfortheemergencyservicestoreachacasualty.

The law

TheHealthandSafety(FirstAid)Regulations1981requireyoutohaveadequatearrangementsforfirstaid.TheManagementofHealthandSafetyatWorkRegulations1999requireyoutohaveprocedurestobefollowed‘intheeventofseriousandimminentdanger’–anemergency.TheReportingofInjuries,DiseasesandDangerousOccurrencesRegulations(RIDDOR)requireyoutorecordandreportincidents,diseasesanddangerousoccurrences.

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What must be reported

Ifyouareanemployer,self-employedorincontrolofpremises,youhaveadutyunderRIDDORtoreportsomeaccidentsandincidentsatwork.Thisdutycoverseveryoneatwork(includingthoseonworkexperienceandsimilarschemes)andnon-workers,suchasvisitors,affectedbythework.

Employersorself-employedpeoplemustnotifytheenforcingauthority:

■ immediately,ofadeath; ■ immediately,ofareportableseriousinjury,suchasa

brokenarmorleg,anamputationinjuryorwhereanemployeeortheself-employedpersonisseriouslyaffectedbyanelectricshockorpoisoning;

■ immediately,ofadangerousoccurrence,egwheresomethinghappenssuchasafireorexplosionwhichstopsworkformorethan24hours;

■ withintendays,ofanover-seven-dayinjury,wheretheemployeeorself-employedpersonisawayfromworkorunabletodotheirnormaljobformorethansevendays;

■ immediately,ofadeathormajorinjurytoamemberofthepublicwheretheyaretakenfromthesceneofanaccidenttohospital;

■ assoonaspossibleofanyreportablediseaseordiagnosis.

Reportablediseasesinagricultureinclude:

■ mostzoonoses(diseasespassedfromanimalstohumans);

■ dermatitisfromworkwithmanyproductsusedinagriculture,includingcertainplants;

■ asthmafromexposuretodustsandanimals; ■ crampofthehandorforearmbecauseofrepetitive

movements.

Furtherdetailsofreportableinjuriesanddiseasesareavailableat:www.hse.gov.uk/riddor

How to report Online

Gotowww.hse.gov.uk/riddorandcompletetheappropriateonlinereportform.TheformwillthenbesubmitteddirectlytotheRIDDORdatabase.Youwillreceiveacopyforyourrecords. Telephone

Allincidentscanbereportedonlinebutatelephoneserviceisavailableforreportingfatal and major injuries only.CalltheIncidentContactCentreon08453009923(openinghoursMondaytoFriday8.30amto5pm).

What must be recorded

Youmustkeeparecordof:

■ anyreportabledeath,injury,occupationaldiseaseordangerousoccurrence;

■ alloccupationalaccidentsandinjuriesthatresultinaworkerbeingawayfromworkorincapacitatedformorethanthreeconsecutivedays.Althoughyounolongerhavetoreportover-three-dayinjuries,youmustkeeparecordofthem(youdohavetoreportover-seven-dayinjuries–seeabove).Ifyouareanemployer,whohastokeepanaccidentbook,therecordyoumakeinthiswillbeenough.

Find out more

InformationontheRIDDORRegulationscanbefoundat www.hse.gov.uk/riddorFirst aid at work: Your questions answered INDG214(rev1)Basic advice on first aid at workINDG347(rev2)

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Farmwise:YouressentialguidetohealthandsafetyinagricultureSafety

8 Preventing falls

Fallsarethesecondbiggestcauseofdeathinagriculture.Thosewhosurvivemaysufferbrokenbonesorotherseriousinjuries.Fallsoftenhappenfromroofs,lofts,ladders,vehicles,balestacksandunsuitableaccessequipment,suchasgrainbucketsorpallets.Theseaccidentsandinjuriescauseyoupainandcostyoutimeandmoney.Mostfallinjuriescanbeavoided.

Thelawsaysyouneedtofollowtheserules,inthisorder:

■ Avoidworkatheightwhereyoucan. ■ Useworkequipmentorothermeasurestopreventfalls. ■ Useworkequipmentthatminimisesthedistanceand

consequencesofafall.

Donotforgettocheckthesafetyofcontractorsworkingforyou(seesection5‘Contractorsandfamilyworkers’).Alsoseesection9‘Buildingwork’.

Working on roofs

Fragileroofsareoftenthecauseofdeathsinagriculture.YoumustfollowthehierarchyoftheWorkatHeightRegulations2005andtakestepstopreventanyonefromaccessingfragileroofsunlessadequatemeanstostoppeoplefallingthroughthemareprovided.

Mosttypesoffibrecementroofs(commonlyknownas‘asbestos’roofs,butnotalwayscontainingasbestos)willbefragile.Rooflightswilloftenalsobefragile.Noonemusteverworkonorfrom,orwalkover,fragileroofsunlessplatforms,coversorsimilarareprovidedwhichwilladequatelysupporttheirweight.

Alwaysconsiderfirstwhetheritisreallynecessarytoaccesstheroof.Doestheworkneedtobedone,orcoulditbedoneinsomeotherwaysuchasfrombeloworfromanintegratedworkplatform?Ifyou,youremployeesorcontractorsrepair,replaceorcleanroofs,oraccessthemforinspectionortogettoplant,followtheserules:

■ Planthework. ■ Setasideenoughtimetodothework. ■ Takeaccountofenvironmentalconditionssuchaslight

levels,ice,windandrain.

■ Makesureeveryoneknowstheprecautionstobefollowedwhenworkingatheight.

■ Fixaprominentpermanentwarningnoticeattheapproachtoanyfragileroof.

■ Neverwalkonfragilematerialssuchasasbestosorotherfibrecementsheet,rooflightsorglass.Rooflightsandglassmayhavebeenpaintedover.

■ Never‘walkthepurlins’or‘walkthelineofthebolts’. ■ Roofladdersorcrawlingboardsmustspanatleastthree

purlins.Theyshouldbeatleast600mmwideandmorewhentheworkrequiresit.

■ Don’tuseapairofboardsto‘leapfrog’acrossafragileroof,butprovideenoughboards.

■ Takeprecautionstopreventapersonfallingfromtheladderorboard.Useedgeprotectionorsafetyharnesses,orsafetynettingwherethisisnotfeasible.Takespecialisedadvice,butrememberthatharnessesrequireadequateattachmentpointsandrelyonuserdisciplineandtrainingtomakesurethattheyarecorrectlyused.

■ Roofladdersmustbesecurelyplaced,withtheanchoragebearingontheoppositesideoftheroof.Donotrelyontheridgecapsortilesforsupportastheycaneasilybreakaway.Neverusegutterstosupportanyladder.

Permanentprotectioninstalledatvalleygutter.(Theprotectionshouldbesupportedbyatleastthreeraftersbeneaththeroofsheets.)

Working on or passing near to fragile roofing material

Youwillneedtoprovideprotectionwhenanyonepassesbyorworksnearerthan2mtofragilematerials,egduringaccessalongvalleyguttersinafragileroof,whenanotherwisenon-fragileroofcontainsfragilerooflights,orduringaccesstoworkingareasonafragileroof.

Youshould:

■ whereverpossible,makesurethatallfragilematerials(eg 2morclosertothepeopleatrisk)aresecurelycovered;or

■ providefulledgeprotection(toprail,intermediateguardrailorequivalentandtoeboard)aroundoralongthefragilematerialtopreventaccesstoit.Makesureyoutakeprecautionswheninstallingsuchprotection,eguseappropriatenetting.

The law

TheWorkatHeightRegulations2005coverallworkactivitieswherepeoplecouldfallandinjurethemselves.Thedutiesareonemployers,theself-employedandotherswhohavecontroloverworkatheight.Youmustmakesureworkatheightisproperlyplanned,supervisedandcarriedoutbypeoplewhoarecompetenttodothejob.

FragileroofFragile

roof

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Ifitisnotreasonablypracticabletoprovidesuchprotection:

■ usesafetynetsorharnessesbutmakesureworkersaretrainedandcompetentintheirinstallationanduse.Ifthebuildingstructureisunsuitedtonettingorharnesses(egtoolow),awell-builtandsuitablysizedbalestackclosetotheundersideofthefragileroofbeingworkedonwillreducetheriskofinjuryifsomeonedoesfallthroughtheroof.

Working on glasshouse roofs

Trytoavoidworkingatheightinglasshousesby,forexample:

■ usingautomatedroofcleaningandshading; ■ usingmechanicalwashingsystemsorsprinklers; ■ reducingtheneedforcleaning,egbymanagingleafand

otherdebristolessentheneedtoclearblockedgutters; ■ consideringsafemaintenancewhenreplacingorbuying

newbuildings,egpositioningofmotors; ■ avoidinghigh-levelpicking.

Ifyoucannotavoidworkingatheight,thenpreventfallsbyplanningthisworkproperly.

Ifpossible,reducetherisksby,forexample:

■ stoppingallproductionworkactivitybelowtheareainwhichworkistakingplace;

■ usingroofingmaterialslesslikelytobedamaged,suchasacrylicorpolycarbonatesheets;

■ replacingglassfrombelow; ■ examiningglasssheetsforflawsbeforehandlingthem; ■ neverworkingbylyingdirectlyontheglassitself; ■ neverwalkingalongavalleygutterwithoutfall-protection

measuresinplace. Ifaccessontotheroofisunavoidable,safesystemsofworkwillbeneeded:

■ Considerhow,orif,airbagsorstagingcouldbeinstalledbelowtheworkarea.Onnewglasshousesitmaybepossibletoinstallnets.

■ Usedevicestohelppreventfallswhenmovingalong,orworkingfrom,agutter.Ifpossible,usevalleygutterprotectionsuchastimberbearerssupportingrunsofscaffoldboardsextendingatleast1mfromthegutteroneachside.

Iftheglasshousewillnotsupportthisweight,otherequipmentshouldthenbeused,suchas:

■ permanenthandrailing; ■ atautlinewithharness; ■ ride-ontrolleys; ■ lightweightbalancingframes; ■ acombinationoftheabove.

Theequipmentusedwilldependonthetypeofglasshouse,thewidthofthegutterandthejobtobedone.Allequipmentshouldbeproperlydesigned,constructedandmaintained,andride-ontrolleysandbalancingframesshouldbe:

■ lightandeasilycarried; ■ robustandstrongenoughtosupporttheloadstheywill

beexposedto,egtheweightofaperson; ■ easilytransferredfromrooftoroofwithoutputtingpeople

atrisk.

Becarefulaboutsnaggingtrouserlegsonglazingbars.Tucktrouserbottomsintobootsorsocksorweartrouserswithelasticatedbottoms.

Glasshousemanufacturersshouldbeabletogiveadviceaboutsuitableaccessequipmentforparticularglasshousetypes,egthosewithalmostflushglazingbars,whichcanmakepositioningladdersetcdifficult.

Getting on and off vehicles

Youaremorelikelytobeinjuredifyoujumpdownfromvehicles.Takeyourtimeclimbingdownfromthecabandusethestepsandhandholdsprovidedratherthanthesteeringwheel.Thinkaboutwhereyouparkandtrytoavoidpotholes.

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Loading and unloading

■ Planloadingandunloadingtoavoidtheneedtoworkatheightonthevehicle.

■ Keeptheloadareatidyandascleanandfreefrommudanddieselaspossible.Pickuplooseropesandstraps.Checktheyareingoodconditiontosecuretheloadandaresafelystoredwhennotinuse.

■ Wearwell-fitting,slip-resistantsafetyfootwearwhenworkingonvehicles.

■ Whenbuyingvehicles,thinkabouthowyouwillbeabletogettothehighpartsofamachinetomaintainitsafely.Askforwell-designedaccess,egpickavehiclewhereregularmaintenancepoints,suchasgreasenipples,canbereachedfromtheground.

■ Makesurethattrailersaresecurelybrakedduringloadingandunloading.

Bales: loading trailers and stacking

Manyincidents(somefatal)involvebalesbeingloadedontotrailers,orduringorafterstacking.Whenloading,checkthat:

■ trailerfloorsareingoodconditionandendracksorhayladdersareused;

■ loadsarebuilttobindthemselves.Usesoundbalesforalledges;

■ workerskeepawayfromtheedges.Driversshouldindicateclearlybeforethetrailerismoved;

■ fullloadsaresecuredbeforeleavingthefieldandnooneridesonthem.Provideladdersforaccesstotheload.

Stackingisaskill,andrequirescompetentpeople.Haveyou:

■ providedtrainingandselectedfitpeoplewhoarehappyworkingatheight?

■ madesurebalesarewellinterlocked,andsoundbalesareusedforedges?

■ instructedworkerstoavoidworkingnearedges,andtokeepawayfromloadingequipment?

■ consideredguardingtheedgesofstacksinbuildingsbyfencinginnon-loadingsides?

■ providedladders,securedinplace,foraccess?

Inspectstacksregularly,andmakesuredestackingiscarriedoutsafely:

■ Alwaystakethetopbalesdownfirst. ■ Usehandlingequipmentasmuchaspossible. ■ Avoidpushingbalesoffwithyourfeet. ■ Neverpullbalesfromthebottom.

Fallingbalesregularlykillpeople,sokeepclearwhenunloadingordestacking.

Work platforms on forklift trucks

Ifyouneedtoraisepeopleabovetheground,egforbuildingmaintenance,useproperlydesignedworkplatformsratherthanladders.Neverusegrainbuckets,pallets,orothermakeshiftequipment.Seriousinjuriesanddeathhaveresultedfrombucketsetcbeingaccidentallytipped.

Forplannedorregularworkatheight,youshoulduseafullyintegratedandproperlyconstructedworkingplatform.Thiswillhavecontrolsthatarelinkedtoandisolatethetruckcontrolssothatonlyapersonontheplatformcancontroltheplatformandtruckmovements.Youshouldnotnormallyuseanon-integratedworkplatform(seeHSEGuidanceNotePM28in‘Findoutmore’).

■ Onlyfitworkingplatformstosuitablemachines–normallyforkliftswithverticalmastsortelescopicbooms.

■ Consultthemanufacturer’s/supplier’sinformationtomakesurethatthetruckandworkingplatformarecompatible.

■ Onlyuseworkingplatformsonmachinesthathaveatilt/trip‘lock’topreventaccidentaltiltingoftheplatform.

■ Onlyuseproperlyconstructedworkingplatformsfittedwithfulledgeprotection.

■ Makesureanygatesintheedgeprotectionopeninwards,upwardsorsideways,andreturnautomaticallytotheclosedposition.

■ Makesuretherearesafeguardssothatthepersonbeingliftedcannotcontactdangerouspartsofthemachine(egtheliftingchains)withanypartoftheirbody.

■ Donotclimbonorovertheguardrails.

Scaffolds

Manytaskswillbelesshazardousifyoudothemfromaproperlydesignedanderectedscaffold.Usecompetentandexperiencedworkerstoerectascaffoldandmakesuretheyareunderthecontrolof,andthescaffoldisinspectedregularlyby,acompetentperson.

Checkthat:

■ thescaffoldisplacedonlevel,firmgroundwithbaseplatesandsoleplates,wherenecessary,properlybracedwithverticalsupports(standards)every2–2.5m;

■ theplatformisatleast600mmwide,withadequatesupports,notmorethan1.5mapart;

■ scaffoldboardsaretieddownoroverhangeachendsupportby50–150mm;

■ youhaveprovidedfallprotection,egguardrailsandtoeboards.Themainguardrailmustbeatleast950mmabovetheplatform.Thereshouldnotbeanunprotectedgapofmorethan470mmbetweentheplatformandanyguardrail;

■ thereissafeaccesstothescaffold.Neverclimbthescaffoldpolestogainaccess–usealadder.

Formobilescaffolds,also:

■ checkthemaximumrecommendedheightinrelationtothebasedimension(includingoutriggers,iffitted).Thebase:heightratioisoften1:3;

■ tiethemtothebuilding,orextendthebasewithoutriggers; ■ donotuseinwindyweather;alwaystiethemiftheyareto

beleftunattended; ■ cleartheworkingplatformofpeopleandmaterialswhen

thescaffoldisbeingmoved.Moveitonlybypullingorpushingatthebase;

■ wheelbrakesmustbe‘on’andlockedwhenthescaffoldisused;

■ donotoverloadtheworkingplatformorapplypressurewhichcouldtiltthetower.

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Ladders

Laddersarenotbanned,butshouldnotbethefirstchoiceifthereisasaferwayofdoingthejob,egbyusingascaffoldorsuitableworkingplatform.Ifthejobisquick(minutesnothours)andsimple,youcanusealadderbutalwaysmakesurethatit:

■ haslevelandfirmfootings.Neveruseunsteadyorslipperybases,egoildrums,boxes,planksoranuncleanedanimalyard;

■ isnotplacedagainstafragilesurface,egfibrecementgutters.Usealadderstayorsimilar;

■ issetatthemoststableangle–aslopeoffourunitsuptoeachoneoutatthebase;

■ extendsatleast1mabovethelandingplaceorthehighestrunginuse,unlessthereisasuitablehandholdtoprovideequivalentsupport.Extendingladdersshouldoverlapbyatleastthreerungs;

■ issecuredagainstslipping,egbytyingbothstilestopreventslippingandrotationoftheladderorusingasuitablestabilitydevice.Usingapersontofootaladderisnotveryeffectiveandshouldonlybealastresort.

Whenworkingfromaladder,tryandmaintainthreepointsofcontactwithitatalltimes(egbothfeetandonehand).Aimtokeepbothhandsontheladderasmuchaspossible.Followsimilarrulesforstepladdersandtrestles.

Never:

■ usedamagedor‘home-made’ladders–takethemoutofuseanddestroyorrepairthem.Checkfordefectsregularly;

■ placeladderswherethereisdangerfrommovingvehicles,animals,orelectricitylines.

Insidesilosorbinswheregrainloadingwilldistortsafetyhoops,thereareoftenfixedverticalladders.Considerwhetheryouneedtoaccessthesiloatall.Cansamplesbetakenfromtheauger?Ifyoudohavetoclimbordescendtheladderintothebinorsilo,useatwin-tailedlanyardorsuitabledevicetominimiseyourriskfromfallingandmakeplansforrescueinanemergency.

Treeworkatheightshouldonlybecarriedoutbycompetentpeople(seesection17‘Chainsawsandtreework’).

Find out more

CasestudiesonHSE’sagriculturewebpages:www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/experience/falls-from-height.htmHealth and safety in roof workHSG33Working platforms (non-integrated) on forklift trucksPM28Safe working with bales in agricultureINDG125(rev3)Working on roofsINDG284(rev1)Working at height: A brief guide INDG401(rev2)Safe use of ladders and stepladders: A brief guide INDG455


Secureladdersatthebasetostopthemslipping

18


9 Building work

ForadviceonworkingatheightandtheWorkatHeightRegulations2005,seesection8‘Preventingfalls’.Mostfarmscarryoutsomebuildingwork,fromdismantlingandre-erectingentirebuildingstodealingwithasbestos.Allsuchworkinvolvesrisksandyoumustputpropercontrolsinplace.

Farmersareveryresourcefulandcanoftenturntheirhandtomostthings.Startbyaskingyourselfifthisisaconstructionjoboramaintenancejoband,ineithercase,ifitiswithinyourcapabilities.Ifindoubt,consultaprofessionalbuilderforadvice.

Building contractors

Ifyouareemployingacontractortodoanyconstructionwork(includingdemolition)thenthelawimposesparticularlegaldutiesonyouasa‘commercialclient’underCDM2015.Acommercialclientisanyorganisationorindividualforwhomaconstructionprojectiscarriedoutinconnectionwiththeirbusinessorotherundertaking(whetherforprofitornot).

Thedutiesofacommercialclientinclude:

■ makingsuitablearrangementsformanagingtheproject,enablingthosecarryingitouttomanagehealthandsafetyrisksinaproportionateway;

■ appointingthecontractorsanddesignerstotheproject(includingtheprincipaldesignerandprincipalcontractoronprojectsinvolvingmorethanonecontractor)whilemakingsuretheyhavetheskills,knowledge,experienceandorganisationalcapability;

■ allowingsufficienttimeandresourcesforeachstageoftheproject;

■ makingsurethatanyprincipaldesignerandprincipalcontractorappointedcarryouttheirdutiesinmanagingtheproject;

■ makingsuresuitablewelfarefacilitiesareprovidedforthedurationoftheconstructionwork;

■ maintainingandreviewingthemanagementarrangementsforthedurationoftheproject;

■ providingpre-constructioninformationtoeverydesignerandcontractoreitherbiddingfortheworkoralreadyappointedtotheproject;

■ ensuringthattheprincipalcontractororcontractor(forsinglecontractorprojects)preparesaconstructionphaseplanbeforethatphasebegins;

■ ensuringthattheprincipaldesignerpreparesahealthandsafetyfilefortheprojectandthatitisrevisedasnecessaryandmadeavailabletoanyonewhoneedsitforsubsequentworkatthesite;

Fornotifiableprojects(whereplannedconstructionworkwilllastlongerthan30workingdaysandinvolvesmorethan20workersatanyonetime,orwheretheworkexceeds500individualworkerdays),commercialclientsmust:

■ notifyHSEinwritingwithdetailsoftheproject; ■ ensureacopyofthenotificationisdisplayedinthe

constructionsiteoffice.

Youasacommercialclient,thecontractorsanddesignersallhavelegaldutiesforhealthandsafetythatcannotbepassedtoeachotherbycontract.Thismeansyouneedtoworkwitheachothertomakesurethejobisdonesafely.Alsolookatsection5‘Contractorsandfamilyworkers’.

Domestic clients

CDM2015nowgivesdomesticclientscertainresponsibilitiesinrelationtoconstructionwork.Ifyouarehavingworkdoneonyourownhome/farmhouse,orthehomeofafamilymember,anditisnotinconnectionwithabusiness,youwillbeadomesticclient.

Theonlyresponsibilityadomesticclienthasunder CDM2015istoappointaprincipaldesignerandaprincipalcontractorwhenthereismorethanonecontractor.However,ifyoudonotdothis(asiscommonpractice)yourdutiesasadomesticclientareautomaticallytransferredtothecontractororprincipalcontractor.

The law

MostactivitiesinvolvingstructuralworkonfarmsaresubjecttotheConstruction(DesignandManagement)Regulations2015(CDM2015)andtheControlofAsbestosRegulations2012.Theyapplytoallworkbuildingprojectsandrefurbishments.CDM2015nowappliestoworkonyourdomesticdwelling(farmhouse)aswellasrefurbishmentonanydomesticpremisesprovidedtoemployees.Furtherinformationondomesticclientsisprovidedbelow.

Thelawrequiresthathealthandsafetyismanagedthroughoutallstagesofaproject,fromconception,designandplanningthroughtositeworkandsubsequentmaintenanceandrepairofthestructure.

19

Ifyoualreadyhavearelationshipwithyourdesignerbeforetheworkstarts,thedesignercantakeonyourduties,providedthereisawrittenagreementbetweenyouandthedesignertodoso.

Excavation

Ifexcavating,remember:

■ Trenchsidesmaycollapsesuddenlywhateverthenatureofthesoil.

■ Youneedtodecidebeforecarryingouttheworkwhatprecautionswillberequiredtoprotectagainstcollapseofthesides,egshoringorbattering.

■ Keepaclearareaaroundexcavationstopreventpeople,materialsorvehiclesfallingin,andtheweightofsoilorequipmentfromcausingthesidestocollapse.

■ Ifyouneedtoentertheexcavation,providesafeaccess. ■ Theremaybepoisonousorasphyxiatinggasesinsewer

openings,frommarshygroundorfromconfinedspaces(seesection13‘Workplacesafetyandwelfare’).

Keepwellawayfromoverheadpowerlinesandundergroundservices,includingcables,oilandgaspipelines.Consulttheutilitycompaniesorthepipelineoperatorbeforeyoustartworktoestablishwheretheyare.

Asbestos

Mostfarmshavesomeasbestos-containingmaterials(ACMs),egcompressedasbestos-cementroofsheets,asbestosinsulationboard(AIB),claddingorrainwaterguttersanddownpipes.Asbestoscanbefoundinboilerorpipelagging,buildingpartitions,preformedwatertanks,ceilingandrooftilesandbitumenroofingfelts.Rememberitmayalsobefoundinfixedplantandmachinery,eginsulationpanels,gasketsorseals.

TheControlofAsbestosRegulations2012requirefarmownersandtenantswithleasesthatincludetheresponsibilityforbuildingmaintenancetocarryoutasurveyofthepremisestolocateACMsandrecordtheircondition.Youthenneedtousethisinformationtoassesstherisksfromasbestosanddecidewhatactionyouneedtotaketoprotectpeople’shealth.

Thesurveyandtheactionlistwillformanasbestosmanagementplan.Astepbystepguidetomanagingasbestos,includingasampleasbestosmanagementplan,isavailablefreeontheHSEwebsite:www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/managing.Mostfarmersshouldbeabletocompletetheplanthemselves.YoumaypresumeanysuspectmaterialstobeACMswithoutfurtheranalysis.

Well-sealed,undamagedasbestosisoftenbestleftalone,butACMsthataredamagedmaybebetterremoved.Ifindoubt,askforexperthelp.Workwithasbestosinsulation,asbestosboardorsprayedcoatings(ielimpetasbestos)mustbecarriedoutbyspecialistlicensedcontractors.

Youmustmakesurethateveryone,especiallycontractors,workingonthefarmbuildingsismadeawareofthepresenceofasbestosandyoumusttakeappropriatestepstoprotecttheirhealth.PlaceswhereACMshavebeenidentifiedmustbelabelled.Inhalingasbestosfibresasaresultofdisturbingthefabricofabuildingcanbefatal.

Demolition or dismantling

Likeallconstructionwork,thismustbeplanned.Ensureyouhavemadearrangementstobringthestructuredowninawaythatpreventsdanger.Makesureyouhaveenoughtimetodemolishordismantlethebuilding.Ifanydebrisorpartsofthestructureareleftstandingbecauseyoudonothavetimetofinishthejob,theyneedtobeleftinastableconditionsotheywillnotcollapse.

DemolitionofbuildingscontainingACMsisspecialistworkandshouldbecarriedoutbylicensedcontractors.Ifintactasbestoscementsheetsneedtobedisposedof,youwillneedtocontactyourlocalauthoritytofindoutdetailsofyournearestlicensedsiteandthebaggingarrangementsthatareneededforsafedisposal.Alternatively,alicensedwastecontractormaydisposeofthemforyou.

New buildings

Whenputtingupanewfarmbuilding,consider:

■ Doesthelocationprovidegoodaccessforfarmvehicles? ■ Isitlikelyyouwillwanttochangewhatthebuildingisusedfor?

■ Howeasywillitbetomaintain? ■ Whatarethelocationsofanyoverheadpowerlines?

Itiseasytobuildsafetyproblemsintoabuildingandjustaseasytoengineerouttheseproblemsatthestart.

Find out more

Managing health and safety in construction L153Managing asbestos in buildings: A brief guide INDG223(rev5)Need building work done? A short guide for clients on the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 INDG411Health and safety in roofwork HSG33

FurtherinformationaboutCDM2015canbefoundat:www.hse.gov.uk/construction


20


10 Workplace transport

Themostcommoncausesofseriousandfatalinjuriesinagricultureinvolvemovingandoverturningvehicles.Transportmovementsinandaroundtheworkplaceneedtobecontrolledtoprotectpedestriansandtopreventdamagetoequipmentandbuildings.Otherincidentshappenwhenpeopleleaveavehiclewithoutmakingsureitcannotmoveorcauseinjuryinotherways.Thevehiclebrakingsystemmustbeproperlymaintainedandyoushouldalsolowertothegroundanyraisedimplementsorloaders.

‘Safestop’isthemostimportantsafetyactionofall:

■ handbrakeon; ■ controlsinneutral; ■ engineoffandremovekey.

Becauseofthewidevarietyofactivitiesinvolvingtransportinagriculture,itiseasiertoidentifyproblemsandtakeactionifyoubreakyourtransportactivitiesintothreeareas:

■ vehicle; ■ driver; ■ site.

Safe vehicle

Checkthatvehicles,machinesandhandlingequipmentare:

■ capableofsafelyperformingthejobstobedone,withreversingaidssuchasmirrors;

■ inspecteddailyandfaultsrepairedpromptly; ■ properlymaintained,payingparticularattentionto

brakingsystems.

Checkthatyourvehicles,oranymachineswithworkersridingorworkingonthem,arefittedwithroll-overprotectivestructures(ROPS)andseatbeltsifthereisariskofoverturning.

Checkthat:

■ driversoflifttrucksandloadersareprotectedfromfallingobjects;

■ loadsarestableandsecure; ■ trailershaveadequatebrakesdesignedforthemaximum

loadsandspeedsatwhichtheywilloperate; ■ keysarekeptsecurewhenvehiclesarenotinuse.

Safe driver

Checkthatdrivers:

■ aremedicallyfittodrive; ■ areproperlytrainedandunauthorisedpeoplearenot

allowedtodrive; ■ knowhowtosafelyenterandexitthevehicle.

Neverallowpassengerstorideonorinvehiclecabsunlesstheyaresittingonapassengerseatinasafepositionandcannotimpedethedriver,accidentallycontactthemachinecontrols,orobscurethedriver’svision.

Safe site

Checkthat:

■ vehiclesandpedestriansareseparatedwherepossible; ■ visitingdriversareawareofyourrules,includingparking

areas,one-waysystemsetc; ■ vehicleroutesreducetheneedtoreverse,egbyadding

turningcircles,orusingone-waysystems; ■ trafficroutesareproperlymaintainedandadequatelylit; ■ warningandspeedlimitsignsareclearandconsistent

withtheHighwayCode.

Overturning tractors and other self-propelled vehicles

YoumayonlyuseatractorormachinewithoutROPSinlow-risksituationssuchasbuildingsandorchardsorwherespecificexemptionsexist.Whereroll-overprotectionisfitted,youshouldalsohaveseatbeltsfittedifamachinewillbeusedinsituationswherethereisariskofoverturning.Toreducetheriskofanoverturn:

The law

TheWorkplace(Health,SafetyandWelfare)Regulations1992andtheProvisionandUseofWorkEquipmentRegulations1998(PUWER)applytotransportactivity.Vehiclesshouldbeabletomovearoundsafely,beproperlymaintainedandoperatorsshouldbeadequatelytrained.TheLiftingOperationsandLiftingEquipmentRegulations1998(LOLER)requirethoroughexamination,markingofequipmentandproperlyorganisedliftingoperations.

21


■ makesurethattractorsandmachinesareproperlyequippedandmaintained,especiallybrakes,steeringandtyres.Considerwidewheelsettingsforworkonslopes;

■ plantheoperationinadvance,andmakesureoperatorsknowthekeyelementsofsafeworkingonslopes.

Remember:

■ Youshouldalwaysturnuphillwhenworkingacrossaslope,anddescendstraightdownthegentlestgradient.

■ Youcannotalwayssafelydescendaslopethatyousafelydroveup.

■ Tractorrear-wheelgriplessensastheloadofarear-mountedmachineisemptied.

■ Tractorswithtrailedrollers,four-wheeltrailersetcwillhaveextrathrustimposedwithnoadditionalweight–theymayslideawayoutofcontrol.

Toreducetheriskofinjuryifyoudooverturn:

■ stayinthecabanddonotattempttojumpclear,asmostdeathsandseriousinjuriesinvolvethosewhojumporarethrownoutofacabduringoverturning;

■ checkthatthesafetyframeorcabisingoodconditionandcorrectlyfitted.Corrosionandincorrectmountingboltscancausethesafetyframetofailinanoverturn;

■ neverremovewindowsordoorsfromasafetycab; ■ weartheseatbeltsfitted,asthisisalegalrequirement

wherethereisariskofoverturning.Considerfittingbeltswherenotinstalledasoriginalequipment;

■ don’tcarrylooseitemsinsidethecabastheymaycauseextrainjuryinanoverturn.

All-terrain vehicles

ATVssuchasquadbikesandside-by-sideutilityvehiclesaredesignedtocopewithawidevarietyofoff-roadconditions,butifusedcarelesslycanveryrapidlybecomeunstable.ManyquadbikefatalitiesintheUKhavebeencausedbyheadinjuries.Helmetswouldhavepreventedmost,ifnotall,ofthesedeaths.Youshouldalwayswearahelmetwhenridingaquadbike.

Thelongseatonaquadbikeallowsoperatorstoshifttheirbodyweightbackwardsandforwardsfordifferentslopeconditions,atechniqueknownas‘active’riding.Itis notforcarryingpassengers.

Tohelpreducetherisks:

■ carryoutsafetychecksandmaintenanceinaccordancewiththemanufacturer’srecommendations,egregularlychecktyrepressures,brakesandthrottle;

■ secureloadsonracksandmakesuretheyareevenlybalanced;

■ alwaysreadandfollowtheowner’smanual; ■ sticktoplannedroutes,wherepossible,andwalknew

routesifnecessarytocheckforhiddenobstructions,hollowsorotherhazards;

■ takeextracarewithtrailedormountedequipmentandunderstandhowtheyaffectstability;

■ makesureallridersreceiveadequatetraining.

Nevercarryachildasapassenger;itisillegalandwillreduceyourabilitytocontroltheATV.Childrenunder13yearsoldareprohibitedfromusinganATVatwork.Over-13sshouldonlyrideATVs–ofanappropriatesizeandpower–afterformaltrainingonalow-powerATV.

On the road

Specificlegislationappliestovehicleswhichtravelonpublichighways.TheprimaryenforcementbodiesarethepoliceandVOSA(VehicleandOperatorServicesAgency),whoshouldbeconsultedforspecificdetailedadvice.

Carrying dangerous goods

UndertheCarriageofDangerousGoodsandUseofTransportablePressureEquipmentRegulations2009,certainrulesapplywhenyoucarrydangerousgoodsbyroad,egacids,ammoniumnitratefertilisers,pesticides,dieselfueletc.ExemptionsexistfortrailerstowedbyagriculturalorforestrytractorsbutthesedonotapplyforothervehiclessuchasLandRovers.Moredetailscanbefoundatwww.hse.gov.uk/cdg/manual/exemptions.htm.

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Telescopic materials handlers (telehandlers)

Aswithallliftingequipment,workwithtelehandlersshouldbeplannedandtherisksassessedtoensuretheworkcanbecarriedoutsafely.

Mostmachinesfeatureaside-mountedcab,withtheboommountedcentrallyortotherightofthemachinechassis.Theoperator’sviewfromthecabmaybeobstructedor‘masked’bytheboom,cabpillarsandotherpartsofthestructure.Restrictedvisibilityfromthecabcanalsobeaproblemwhenreversingandwhenliftinglargeloads.

Telehandlersshouldonlybedrivenbyauthorised,trainedandcompetentpeoplewhohavecompletedappropriatetrainingandtesting(seeHSEApprovedCodeofPracticeL117in‘Findoutmore’).

Hazardsassociatedwithtelehandleroperationcaninclude:

■ overturning–duringtravelorwhenlifting,onslopesorflatground;

■ electrocution–fromcontactwithOHPLs; ■ unsecuredloadsfallingfromheight,egbales; ■ usinginappropriate,unsecuredorpoorlymaintained

handlingattachments; ■ unsafeprocedures,egusingagrainbuckettoknockin

fenceposts; ■ peoplefallingfromheight,egwhenusingattachments

asworkplatforms; ■ unintendedmovementofthemachine.

Beforeusingatelehandleryoushouldmakesure:

■ themachineisofatypesuitablefortheenvironmentinwhichitistobeusedandiscapableofperformingtherequiredtaskssafely;

■ attachmentsaresuitable,compatiblewiththemachine,andsafetouse;

■ visibilityaidssuchasmirrorsareingoodconditionandproperlyadjusted,andthecabwindowsareclean.Theglassforthewindownearesttheboommustalwaysbeintacttopreventtheriskofcrushingfromtheboom;

■ themachineisproperlymaintainedinaccordancewiththemanufacturer’srecommendations;

■ theoperatorisfamiliarwiththecontrolsandhasreadandunderstoodtheoperator’smanual;

■ allrecommendedpre-usecheckshavebeencarriedout,includingacheckthattheoverloadindicatorisinworkingorder;

■ whereverpossible,pedestriansareseparatedfromtelehandleroperations.

Whenusingatelehandler:

■ travelwiththeboomloweredtomakesurethatthecentreofgravityofthemachineandtheloadisaslowaspossibletomaximisestability;

■ carefullychooseroutestoavoidOHPLs,verysteepslopesorgradientsandslipperyorloosesurfaces;

■ adoptthecorrectdrivingdirectionandtravellingpositionfornegotiatingaslopeorgradient,egwhenaloadiscarriedtheloadshouldfaceuphill.Whennoloadiscarriedtheforkarmsshouldfacedownhill;

■ avoidturningonortraversingaslopeorgradientandalwaysdescendstraightdownthegentlestgradientofaslope,insteadofdrivingdiagonallyacrossit;

■ avoidstacking/de-stackingaloadonaslopeorgradientwhereyoucan;

■ usesuitablescotchesorsupportsifanyworkhastobecarriedoutunderaraisedboom.

Theoperatorshouldalwayslookaroundandcheckforthepresenceofpedestriansbeforemovingoffandwhilemanoeuvringandtravelling.

Lifting operations

Properlyplanandorganisethelift,usingappropriateequipmentandcompetentpeople,tominimisetherisks.Makesure:

■ allliftingequipmentisthoroughlyexamined(andtestedifnecessary)regularlybyacompetentperson.Independentinspectionorganisations,includinginsurancecompanies,canhelp;

■ safeworkingloads(SWLs)aremarkedonliftingequipment.NeverexceedSWLs,orusedamaged,makeshiftorwornitems;

■ neverusegrainbuckets,palletsorothermakeshiftequipmentforliftingpeopleofftheground(seesection8‘Preventingfalls’).


Find out more

Rider-operated lift trucks: Operator training and safe use. Approved Code of Practice and guidanceL117Safe use of ATVs in agriculture and forestryAIS33(rev1)Using tractors safely: A step-by-step guide INDG185(rev3)Vehiclehealthcheckscheme:www.bagma.com

23


11 Selecting and using work equipment

Machinery Manyseriousincidentsonfarmsinvolvemachinery,oftenduringmaintenanceorunblocking.Somehappenbecauseamachinehasbeenusedforajobforwhichitisunsuitable;othersbecauseguardshavenotbeenprovidedorhavebeenleftoff.PTOshaftshavebeeninvolvedinmanyfatalinjuries,oftenwithmachinesusedwhilestationary,suchasforslurryhandlingorfeedmillingandmixing.

Buyingmachinerycanbeoneofthebiggestinvestmentsyoumake,andtheprofitabilityofthebusinesscandependonitdoingtherightjobwell,safely,andwithoutaffectingpeople’shealth.

Whenbuyingnewmachinery,check:

■ itis‘CE’markedandsuppliedwithaCertificateofConformity.Thisisalegalrequirementandrepresentsthemanufacturer’sclaimtohavebuiltthemachinetomeetlegalsafetyrequirements;

■ itissuitablefortheintendeduse,egcompatiblewithtractors,trailershaveadequatebrakingsystemsforthemaximumloadandspeedintendedetc;

■ forgooddrivervisibilityandwaysthiscanbeimprovedforsafereversing,egbyspecifyingCCTV,audiblereversingwarningdevices,bettermirrors;

■ tractorsandotherself-propelledmachinesarefittedwithsuitableROPSandfallingobjectprotectionstructures(FOPS)–seesection10‘Workplacetransport’);

■ themaximumoperatingheightofmachinessuchascombines,telescopichandlers,sprayersandforageharvesters.Any33000-and11000-voltOHPLsonyourlandshouldbeatleast5.2mfromthegroundbut,ifyouareinanydoubt,contactthedistributionnetworkoperator(DNO)tohavethemchecked.MakesuremachinesyoubuyhavesufficientclearancetopasssafelyunderOHPLs;

■ likelydustorfumeemissionsandtaketheseintoaccountwhereyouhaveachoiceofmachines;

■ foreaseofmaintenance.Amachinewhichisdesignedtobeeasilyandsafelymaintainedwillsaveyoutimeandreducerisks;

■ whatstepsthemanufacturerhastakentomakeitsafeforyoutoclearblockages.Machinespronetoblockages,suchasbalers,shouldbedesignedtominimisethemandhaveasuitablewayofclearingthem,egapick-upreversingmechanism;

■ instructionsareprovidedaswellasaworkshopmanualifyouintendtoservicethemachineyourself.Makesureyouroperatorsreadtheseinstructions;

■ informationonnoiseandvibrationlevelsisincludedintheoperator’smanual.Youmayneedtoprovideextraoperatorprotectionyourselfifthelevelsexceedthelegalrequirements(seesection22‘Noiseandvibration’);

■ whetheroperatorsneedtrainingtousethemachinesafely.Askthesuppliertoprovideinitialtraining/instructionandconsiderifyouroperatorwillneedfurtherformaltraining,egfortelescopicloaders,ATVsandchainsaws.

Whenbuyingsecond-handmachines,check:

■ tractorsandmachinerycomplywiththerequirementsofPUWER.Ifnot,theymustbebroughtuptotherequiredstandardbeforebeingused;

■ theoperator’smanualisprovidedoryoucangetholdofsuitableinformation(egfromtheoriginalmanufacturer,supplyingdealer,ortheinternet);

■ anymissingordamagedguardscanbereplacedorrepairedbeforeusingthemachine.

Whenyoubuyorhiremachinesthelawrequiresthesuppliertoprovidenecessarysafeguards.

Using machines safely

■ Makesurethemachineissuitableforthejob(egabalespikeusedtoliftanythingotherthanbales,oratelescopichandlerwithagrainbucketusedtoliftapersonforworkataheight,wouldnotbesuitable).

■ Youshouldbeabletorecognisedangerouspartsandthinkabouthowtopreventinjurywhencarryingoutyourriskassessment.

The law

TheProvisionandUseofWorkEquipmentRegulations1998(PUWER)applytoanyequipment,includingmachinery,thatyouuseatwork.Theyrequirethatequipmentissuitableforthetask,properlymaintained,withdangerouspartssafeguarded,andthatadequatetrainingandinformationabouttheequipmentisavailable.Equipmentmustbestableandstopcontrols,includingemergencystops,mustbeprovided.

24


■ Whenyoudecideoncontrols,considernotonlyyourdisciplinedandtrainedworkersbutalsothosewhoaretired,distractedorlessexperienced.

■ Ifyouprovidesafeguardswhichareinconvenienttouse,orwhichcanbetooeasilyremoved,youmayinadvertentlyencourageyouremployeestotakerisks,sufferinjuryandbreakthelaw.

■ Youshouldhaveasystemtocheckthatworkequipment,includingmachinery,issafetouse.Tellpeopleifitisnotworkingproperly.

■ Ifsafetydependsonhowtheequipmenthasbeeninstalled,inspectittoensureithasbeensetupcorrectlyandissafetooperatebeforeyouuseitforthefirsttime,andafterassemblyinanewlocation.

■ Inspectequipmentregularlyfordeteriorationwhichmightresultindanger(suchascorrosiononrollframes),andwhenevertherehavebeenexceptionalcircumstancesthatmaymaketheequipmentunsafe.Keeprecordsofallinspections.

Makesureyouandyourworkers:

■ usemachinesaccordingtotheinstructionssuppliedwiththem;

■ knowhowtostopthemachinesafelybefore operatingit;

■ understandhowtocarryoutthe‘safestop’procedure; ■ knowhowtoclearblockagessafely,usingthereversing

mechanismortoolsprovidedwiththemachine; ■ alwaysstartmachinesfromthecorrectposition; ■ checkallguardsarefittedandworkingcorrectly; ■ maintainmachinessotheycanbeusedsafely; ■ ‘safetycheck’allequipmentandputrightalldefects

beforeeachuse; ■ checkthatcontrolsareclearlymarkedtoshowwhatthey

do,whichmachinetheycontrolandaredesignedandplacedsoyoucannotoperatethemaccidentally;

■ checktheareaaroundfixedmachinesisclean,tidyandfreefromobstruction;

■ checkthatfixedorstationarymachinesare adequatelylit;

■ checkthatelectricalmachineryisisolatedandlocked-offifsafeguardsareremoved;

■ aretrainedtoworksafely; ■ areprovidedwithandusenecessaryprotectiveclothing.

Never:

■ useamachineunlessyouknowhowtouseitsafelyandhavereceivedsuitabletraining;

■ attempttoclearblockagesorcleanamachineunlessyouhavefollowedthe‘safestop’procedure,thedriveisdisconnected,themachineisstationaryandcomponentshavestopped;

■ wearlongchains,looseclothing,glovesorrings,orkeeplonghairloose,whichmaygetcaughtupinmovingparts;

■ distractpeoplewhoareusingmachines; ■ dismountfromamovingtractororotherself-propelled

machine.

Power take-off shaft guards

ForPTOshaftguards,checkthattheguardis:

■ madetoarecognisedstandardsuchasBSENISO5674; ■ thecorrectsizeandlengthfortheshaft,bothwhenclosed

andwhenextended; ■ anon-rotatingtype,withtherestrainingdevice,egsecuring

chains,inplace; ■ properlyusedandmaintained.Cleanandlubricateguards

regularly; ■ supportedwhennotconnected.Donotrestitonthe

drawbarordropitontheground,anddonotsuspenditbytherestrainingdevice;

■ safefromdamage,egfromcontactwiththelowerlinkarmsonthetractororwhenthemachineisparkedandnotinuse.

Makesurenooneusesadaptorstoallowasix-splineshafttodrive1000rpmmachines.

Other dangerous parts

Checkthatsafeguardsarefitted,andmakesuretheyare:

■ strongenoughandsecurelyattachedtothemachine; ■ noteasilydefeated,egrequireatooltoopen,andareself-

locking; ■ madeofsuitablematerial.Plasticallowsgoodvisibilitybut

maybeeasilydamaged; ■ regularlycheckedandmaintainedineffectiveworkingorder.

Ifguardsareinterlocked,egifyouneedaccessseveraltimeseachdaytoadangerouspart,checkthat:

■ themachinecannotstartbeforetheguardisinposition; ■ openingtheguardstopsthemachineorthatpart; ■ theinterlockingswitchorvalveissufficientlyrobust

forthejob,andthewayitworksmakesitdifficultforsomeonetodefeat.

Find out more

Power take-offs and power take-off drive shaftsAIS40Working safely with agricultural machineryINDG241(rev1)Buying new machineryINDG271(rev1)

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12 Maintenance work

Allequipmentandplantshouldbemaintainedingoodworkingorderandingoodrepair,andsomemustberegularlychecked.Inmaintenancework,conditionsareverydifferentfromthosenormallyencounteredandnewhazardsmaybeintroduced.Itisessentialthateveryoneinvolvedistrainedtobeawareofthehazardsandthecorrectprecautions.

Plant and equipment

Someequipmentshouldberegularlyexaminedortestedbyacompetentperson,egliftingequipmentsuchaschainsandropes,steamboilers,orairreceiverssuchasthoseoncompressors.Consultanindependentinspectionorganisationoryourinsurancecompanyforadvice.

Followthemanufacturer’srecommendedmaintenanceschedulesforworkequipmentsuchastractorsandvehicles,lifttrucks,ATVs(quadbikes),portableelectricalequipment,andfarmmachinery.

Maintenance

Whenyouarecarryingoutmaintenanceoperationsfollowthe‘safestop’procedureandmakesure:

■ allmovementhasstoppedbeforeremovinganyguards; ■ workersareproperlytrainedtodothejob; ■ adequatetoolsandinstructionsareprovidedfor

maintaining,adjusting,cleaningandunblockingmachines;

■ safeworkingpracticesaredevisedandused; ■ storedenergy,egfromcompressedmaterial,springsor

hydraulics,isreleasedsafelybeforeyoustartwork; ■ hydraulically-raisedmachinesorpartsareprevented

fromdescendingbyusingmechanicaldevicessuchasstopsorjackswhenpeopleworkunderthem.

Vehicle repair Duringvehiclerepair:

■ makesurebrakesareappliedandwheelschocked; ■ alwayspropraisedbodiesanddonotrelyonhydraulic

systemsforsupport; ■ startandrunengineswithbrakesonandinneutralgear; ■ neverworkundervehiclessupportedonjacksalone–

alwaysuseaxlestands; ■ bewareoftheexplosionriskwhendrainingandrepairing

fueltanks.Usearetriever/adaptortodrainpetrolfromtanksandlinesinasafeplaceawayfromdrains,pits,openingsinthegroundandsourcesofignition;

■ avoidburnsfrombatteryshortcircuitsbydisconnectingthebatterybeforestartingwork;

■ olderbrakeliningsmayalsocontainasbestos.Never‘blowout’brakes,alwaysuseavacuumorotherdust-freemethod.Donotuseasbestosbrakeliningasareplacement.

Isolating equipment

Isolatemachinesbeforeanymaintenance,cleaningoradjustment.Itisnotenoughjusttoswitchthemachineoff–youneedtousethemainisolator,usuallyaseparatecontrol.Ifthemachineisatsomedistancefromtheisolator,orifworkinprogressisnotobvious,removethefusesfromtheisolatorboxandattacha‘danger’tagtoit,orlocktheisolatorboxandkeepthekeysafe.

General workshop safety

Checkthat:

■ youkeeptheworkshoptidyandavoidtrippinghazardssuchastrailingcables,toolsetc;

■ weldinggasbottlesaresecuredupright,andwheninusecanbemovedeasilyonatrolley;

■ batterychargingisdoneinawell-ventilatedareaawayfromsourcesofignitionsuchasweldingflamesoranglegrinding;

■ youavoidchlorinatedsolventssuchas‘trike’or‘perc’fordegreasing.Usealessharmfulproduct(notparaffinorpetrol)andputdegreasingbathsinwell-ventilatedareas;

The law

TheProvisionandUseofWorkEquipmentRegulations1998(PUWER)requirethatyoumustmaintainanyworkequipmentyouprovideinasafeconditionforusesothatpeople’shealthandsafetyisnotatriskand,incertaincircumstances,haveitinspectedtoensurethisremainsthecase.

ThePressureSystemsSafetyRegulations2000andthePressureEquipmentRegulations1999coverthesafeinstallation,useandmaintenanceofsystemsorequipmentwhichcontainaliquidorgasunderpressure.

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■ arcweldingisdoneinaprotectedareasothatothersnearbyarenotaffectedbytheultra-violetlightandsuffer‘arc-eye’asaresult;

■ youusethecorrectabrasivewheelforthejobandadjustbenchgrindertool-restsclosetothewheel;

■ youcanescapefrominspectionpitseasilyandthatinspectionlampshaveprotectedbulbs(flammablefluidssuchaspetrolmaycollectinthebottomofthepitandexplodewiththeheatfromabrokenbulbfilament);

■ noiselevelsfromplantsuchascompressorsarecontrolled–sitethemachineinaseparateclosedareaoroutside;

■ handtoolsareingoodconditionandsuitableforthejob; ■ PPEisprovided–eyeprotectionforchiselling,grinding

andweldingwork;respiratoryprotectionforworkthatcreatesdust,ifextractioncannotbeprovided;orfootprotectionifthereisariskofthingsfallingontothefeet.

Pressurised plant

Anyplantorequipmentunderpressure,suchasslurrytankers,boilersandairreceivers,mayburstviolently.Reducethechancesofthishappeningandanyonebeingkilledorinjured.Makesure:

■ theplantissuitableforitsintendedpurposeandinstalledcorrectly;

■ youknowthesafeworkingpressureandtemperaturesofanypressurisedsystemorequipment;

■ safetyvalvesarefittedtorelieveexcesspressure,aswellassafetydevicestomakeover-orunder-pressurisationunlikely,suchasboilerlowwaterlevelalarms;

■ youavoidaccidentallypressurisinganysystemorequipment,egprovideboiler‘blowdown’tankswithanadequatelysizedventpipe.Applyingheattodrumsortankswhichhavecontainedflammablematerialmaycreatepressure,soalwayscold-cutsealedcontainers.

Wheel changing

Seriousaccidents,includingfatalities,havebeencausedbyunsafepracticesduringwheel/tyrechangingandwheninflatingtyres.Whenusingjackstoliftorsupportvehiclesormachines:

■ usethecorrectjackforthejob,capableofsupportingtheloadimposedonit;

■ usethecorrectjackingpoint,asidentifiedonthemachineorintheoperator’smanual;

■ positionaxlestandstogiveadditionalsupport; ■ chocktheotherwheelstopreventmovement; ■ carryouttheworkonfirm,levelground.

Tyre/wheelrepairandreplacementshouldonlybetackledbycompetentstaff.Takeextracarewithsplit-rimwheelsasthesepresentadditionalhazards.Althoughtheyarebecominglesscommon,youmayfindthemonoldervehiclessuchasforklifttrucks,loadingshovelsandformermilitaryvehicles.Ifindoubtseekhelpfromaspecialist.

Don’tuse‘unrestricted’airlines(withoutagaugeorpressurecontroldevice)orvalveconnectorsthatrequiretheoperatortoholdtheminplacewheninflatingtyres.Tyrescanexplodeiftheyarenotinflatedsafely.Useairlinehoseslongenoughtoallowtheoperatortostayoutsidethelikelyexplosionpathduringinflation.Wheelcagesandsimilardevicescanhelpreducetheriskofinjury.Forsafetyadviceonwheelsandtyres–see‘Findoutmore’.

Theaveragesizeofwheelsandtyreshasincreasedsignificantly,whichcreatesagreaterriskofmanualhandlinginjuriesbecausetheyareheavierandmoredifficulttoholdandmanoeuvre.Changinglargetractorwheelscanbemadeeasierwithanappropriatemechanicalhandlingtrolley.

Repairs in the field

Recoveringorrepairingvehiclesandmachinesinthefieldcanintroducenewhazardsandcreateadditionalrisks.Insomecircumstances,itmaybesafertoattempttherepairintheworkshopratherthaninthefield.Whereyouhavetocarryoutrepairsormaintenanceinthefield,egwhereamachinehasbrokendown,itisimportanttoensureyouassessallrisksproperlybeforetacklingthejob.Factorstoconsidermayinclude:

■ theimpactofadverseweatherconditionssuchaswindorrain;

■ poorlighting,egatdusk; ■ groundconditions,egwetorsoftsurfaces; ■ thelocationofOHPLs; ■ theneedtoensuresafetyforaccessorworkatheight,

egoncombines.

Alwaysplanthejobandusesafesystemsofworkwhetherintheworkshoporinthefield.

Find out more

Working safely with agricultural machineryINDG241(rev1)Pressure systems: A brief guide to safetyINDG261(rev2)Health and safety in motor vehicle repair and associated industriesHSG261

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13 Workplace safety and welfareManyofthespecificrisksonyourfarmwillhavebeencovered

inothersectionsofFarmwise.Youalsoneedtolookattheactivitiesthattakeplaceinyourworkplaceasawhole:

■ Slips,tripsandfallscanhappenanywhereinworkplaces,suchasinbuildingsoryards.Keepfloorsurfaceslevelwhereyoucan,egbyfillinginholes.

■ Makesurenoonecanfallfromopenedgessuchascatwalksabovegrainbinsorfeedlofts.Youmustalsotakeactionifthereisariskofinjuryfromfallsintotanks,pitsorontoprojectingobjects.Fixedguardrailsorfencingatleast950mmabovetheworkingsurfacewillbesuitable.

■ Checkworkingareasarefreefromobstructions,suchastrailingcables,sacksorpallets,andthereisenoughspaceforstoringtoolsandmaterials.

■ Keepyourbuildingsingoodrepair,makingsurefloorsarenotoverloaded,especiallyinfeedloftsorolderbuildings.Managementofasbestos-containingmaterialiscoveredinsection9‘Buildingwork’.

■ Remember,visitingworkerssuchaslorrydrivers,agronomistsandvetsarealsoatriskandyouhaveadutytomakesuretheyaresafewhentheyareonyourpremisesorfarm.

Provide:

■ handrailsonstairsandrampswherenecessary,andsafetyhoopsorreststagesonlongverticalfixedladdersusedregularly,egforexternalaccesstograinbins;

■ gooddrainageinwetprocessessuchasvegetablewashingareasordairies,andkeepoutdoorroutesclear,egsalted,sandedorsweptduringicyconditions;

■ adequateandsuitablelighting.Usenaturallightwherepossible,buttrytoavoidglare.Notethatsomefluorescenttubesflickerandcanbedangerous,makingrotatingmachineryappearstationary.Movingfromlighttodarkandviceversaincreasestheriskofslipsandtrips.Well-litoutsideareaswillhelpsecurity;

■ adequatetemperatureandventilation,includingfreshairwhenworkinginside;

■ safetysignswhereasignificantrisktohealthandsafety

remainsafteryouhavetakenothercontrolmeasuresidentifiedbyyourriskassessment.

Workplacescancausehealthproblems,somakesureyouprovide:

■ seatswithabackrestsupportingthesmallofthebackand,ifneeded,afootrest,whereworkcanbedoneseated,egvegetablegrading;

■ machinecontrolsdesignedandarrangedtoprovideacomfortableworkingposition;

■ engineeringcontrols,eglocalexhaustventilation(LEV)systems,toreducehealthrisksfromdangeroussubstancessuchasgraindust;

■ well-designedtoolsandworkingareastoreducehandandforearminjurycausedbyrepetitivemovements,egonvegetableorfruitgradinglines.

Toilet and welfare facilities

Thereisariskofillnessfromhazardoussubstancesandfrommuckorotheranimalproductscarryingpotentiallyhazardousmicro-organisms.Ifyouhavefull-orpart-time,casualorpermanentworkers,providerestfacilitiesand:

■ clean,well-ventilatedtoilets; ■ washbasinswithhotandcold(orwarm)runningwater,

soapandtowels(orahanddryer); ■ portabletoiletandwashingfacilitiesforworkersworking

awayfrombase; ■ changingfacilitieswherespecialclothingisworn; ■ acleandrinkingwatersupply(markedtodistinguishit

fromanynon-drinkablesupply).

Confined spaces

Therehavebeendeathsinconfinedspacesonfarms.Sometimesmorethanonepersonhasbeenkilled–thesecondpersonoftenbeingawould-berescuer.

The law

TheWorkplace(Health,SafetyandWelfare)Regulations1992aimtoprotectthehealthandsafetyofeveryoneintheworkplace,andtomakesurethatadequatewelfarefacilitiesareprovidedforpeopleatwork.TheConfinedSpacesRegulations1997setoutprecautionsthatmustbetakenbeforeworkinaconfinedspace.TheHealthandSafety(SafetySignsandSignals)Regulations1996requireasafetysignwherethereissignificantrisktohealthandsafetynotcontrolledbyothermethods.

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Aconfinedspaceisanywherethat,becauseitisenclosed,givesrisetoariskofseriousinjuryfromfireorexplosion,lossofconsciousnessfromlackofoxygen,drowning,orasphyxiationduetobeingtrappedbyafree-flowingsolid.Confinedspacesonfarmsarefoundin:

■ producestoressuchasgrain/foragesilosandbins,orcontrolledatmospherefruitandvegetablestores;

■ pitssuchasgrainelevatorpits,slurrypitsandchambersorvehicleinspectionpits.

Ifyouhaveareaswhichpresentanyoftheserisksyoumust:

■ avoidworkingintheconfinedspaceifyoucan.Cantheworkbedonefromoutside?

■ followasafesystemofworkifyoureallyhavetoworkinaconfinedspace.Consider:- theneedforcompetentpeople;- testingtheatmospheretomakesureitcansupportlife,anddoesnotcontaindangerouslevelsofgasessuchashydrogensulphide.Rememberthatsomeareassuchasslurrypitsmaycontinuetogiveoffpoisonousgasesaftertesting;

- whethertheareaisadequatelyventilatedbeforeentry;- providingPPE,includingbreathingapparatus;

■ makearrangementsincasesomethinggoeswrong.Neverentertheconfinedspacewithoutmakingproperemergencyarrangements.Rescueequipment,includingharnessesandsafetylines,shouldbeprovided.Ensureyoucanrapidlynotifytheemergencyservicesifnecessary.

Foragetowerandsealedmoistgrainsilosareconfinedspaces.Theyshouldnotbeenteredwithoutappropriatesafetyprecautionsbecauseofthedangerofhighconcentrationsoftoxicgasesandoxygendepletion.Anyoneenteringmustfollowtheproceduresforworkinginconfinedspacesshownabove. Spaces with limited ventilation

Gasescanalsobuilduptodangerouslevelsinareasthathaverestrictedventilation.Slurrygasescanbepresentinslattedcattlehousingorpoorlyventilatedareasaswellasconfinedspaces.Hydrogensulphideishighlytoxic,heavierthanairandodourlessathighconcentrations.

■ Considerwheregasesmaybuildupandnotbedispersedbydraughtsandbreezes,egifyourreceptionpitisinadepressionintheground,orpositionedbetweenbuildings.

■ Putupsignswarninggasesmaybepresentandmakesureeveryoneonthefarmknowstoavoidtheseareasduringoperationssuchasslurryagitation.

Nitrogendioxideandcarbondioxidecanbepresentinsilageclamps,particularlyunderthesheeting–nitrogendioxidecancausepermanentdamagetoyourthroatandlungsandcankill.Nitrogendioxideisheavierthanairandcancollectaroundtheedgesandwallsofthesilageclamp.Goodventilationwilldispersethesegasesbutgasestrappedunderthesheetingwillstillbepresent.

■ Nevercrawlundersilageclampsheeting. ■ Makesurechildrendonotplayinthisarea.

■ Avoidtheriskofgasesbeinggeneratedbycarefulclampconsolidationandcompleted,well-sealedclampsheeting.

Fire precautions in workplaces

Assesstherisksfromfireandmakesure:

■ youhavesafemeansofescape,keptfreefromobstructionsandclearlymarked;

■ everyoneknowswhattodoifafirestarts,especiallyhowtoraisethealarm.Displayfireactioninstructionsandhaveafiredrillperiodically;

■ anyfirealarmswork(checkthemweekly)andthattheycanbeheardeverywhereovernormalbackgroundnoise;

■ youhaveenoughextinguishers,oftherighttypeandproperlymaintained,todealpromptlywithsmalloutbreaksoffire.Makesureworkersknowhowtousethem.

Fertiliser storage

Storeallfertiliserssafely.Specialrequirementsapplyforthestorageofammoniumnitrate(AN)fertiliser.Itcanhelpothermaterialstoburnandincertaincircumstancesitcanexplodeandgiveofftoxicfumes.

■ Storagebuildingsshouldbeconstructedofnon-combustiblematerialandshouldnotcontainothercombustiblematerials.

■ Wherethisisnotreasonablypracticable,storeANfertilisersasfarawayaspossiblefromcombustiblematerialsandneverwithin2m.

■ Ifyouarestoring150tonnesormoreofAN,andthenitrogencontentexceeds15.75%byweight,youmustnotifyyourlocalFire&RescueService.

Consider the specific risks on your farm

■ Doyouusemobilegasheaters,egincaravansorforgasbrooders?Aretheymaintainedandplacedinareaswithadequateventilationforworkers?

■ Haveyouintroducednewrisks,egbiodieselproduction?Whereareyoumakingitandwhereareyoustoringit?

■ Areyoudiversifying,egwithopenfarmsandshops?Haveyouassessedtherisksofaccessbythegeneralpublicandanyvehiclemovementrisksandtrafficorganisationproblems?

■ Istherealevelcrossingonyourfarmoronlandwhereyouwork?Youneedtomakesurethatbothyouandothersusingitonyourbehalfareawareofwhattheyneedtodotousethecrossingsafely.

Find out more

Guidance on storing pesticides for farmers and other professional usersAlS16(rev1)Confined spaces: A brief guide to working safely INDG258(rev1)Storing and handling ammonium nitrateINDG230The Dangerous Substances (Notification and Marking of Sites) Regulations 1990 (NAMOS): A brief guide on an amendment to the Regulations 2013INDG467Workplace health, safety and welfare: A short guide for managersINDG244(rev2)

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14 Electricity

Peoplearekilledorseriouslyinjuredbyelectricityinagricultureeveryyear,buttherearemanymoreincidentsthatdamageequipmentandthousandsof‘near-misses’,anyofwhichcouldhavehadfatalconsequences.ManyoftheseinvolvecontactwithOHPLsandcausedisruptionandcoststofarmers,otherbusinessesandthecommunity.Othersinvolvepoorlymaintainedhand-heldequipmentorextensioncables.Poorelectricalinstallationsandequipmentcanalsocausefires,resultinginsignificantlossesinbuildings,equipmentandlivestock.

Overhead power lines

Electricitycanjumpgapswhenequipmentormachinerygetscloseenough–youdonotneedtocontactOHPLsforelectricitytobeconductedthroughittoearth.Anyonetouchingthemachineryatthesametimewillreceiveanelectricshock.IfOHPLsrunacrossyourland,considerwithyourdistributionnetworkoperatorwhethertheycanbere-routed,putunderground,orraised.Ifthatcannotbedone,makesureyouhaveamapoftheroutesofthelines(availablefromyourDNO)andthatvisitingworkerssuchascontractorshavecopies(includedetailsofOHPLsincontracts).

Wherepossible,donotcarryoutthefollowingoperationswithinahorizontaldistanceofatleast10mfromOHPLs:

■ stackingbalesorpotatoboxes; ■ erectingtemporarystructuressuchaspolytunnels; ■ jobsinvolvingmovingladdersorirrigationpipes; ■ foldingsprayerbooms; ■ tippingtrailersorlorries; ■ operatinglifttrucksortelescopichandlers; ■ workingwithorontopofcombinesorotherhighmachinery; ■ treework.

Ifyoucannotavoidcarryingoutanyoftheseactivitiescloserthan10m,consultyourDNOforadvice.Ifthelinecannotbemovedormadedeadyouwillneedtoassesstherisksandagreeasafesystemofwork.

Reducerisksby:

■ planningandmarkingsaferoutesanddesignatesafeareasforhigh-riskoperations,egforusingtelescopichandlersandtippingtrailersatstorageorloadingareas;

■ checkingthemaximumoperatingheightofmachinessuchascombines,telescopichandlers,sprayersandforageharvesters.Any33000-and11000-voltOHPLsonyourlandshouldbeatleast5.2mfromthegroundbut,ifyouareinanydoubt,contacttheDNOtohavethemchecked.Ensureenoughclearanceunderpowerlines;

■ fittingshorterradioaerialsorrepositioningexistingonesonhighmachinessotheycannotcausedanger;

■ usingsprayerswithhorizontallyfoldingboomsandneverfoldingthemonthemove;

■ takingcarenottodamagepolesandstays; ■ carryingirrigationpipeshorizontally,usingtwopeopleand

notstoringpipesorothermaterialsandequipmentnearorunderpowerlinesandtheirsupports;

■ noterectingfencingwireunderoradjacenttoOHPLs,normovingorstrainingfencingwirewhereitmayspringupandcomeintocontactwiththeline.Longrunsofwireonundulatinggroundpresentaspecialrisk;

■ knowingwhattodoinanemergency–obtaincontactdetailsofrelevantDNOs,displaythisinformationinthecabsofmachinesandstorethenumberinyourmobilephone.

IfyouhavetoworknearOHPLs,checkwithyourDNOand,ifnecessary,arrangetemporarydisconnection.

What if you come into contact with an OHPL?

■ IfpartofavehicleorloadisincontactwithanOHPL,theoperatorshouldremaininthecabandcalltheDNOon105immediately.

■ Keepothersaway. ■ Trytodriveclear.Ifthisisnotpossible,jump well clear

sothatnosimultaneouscontactismadebetweenyou,thevehicleandtheground.

■ Neverattempttodisentangleequipmentuntiltheownerofthelinehasconfirmedthatithasbeende-energisedandmadesafe.

■ Warning:ContactwithanOHPLmaycausethepowersupplyto‘tripout’temporarilyanditmaybereconnectedandre-energisedautomatically,withoutwarning.

■ Donotreturntoamachineforanyreasonunlessyouhavereceivedconfirmationthatitissafetodoso.

WhatcanhappenifyoucomeintocontactwithanOHPL

The law

TheElectricityatWorkRegulations1989requireprecautionstobetakenagainsttheriskofdeathorinjuryfromelectricity.Electricalequipmentmustbesafeandproperlymaintained.Alwaysisolatethesupplytoequipmentbeforeworkingonit;itisextremelyunlikelythatworkingonlivesystemswillbejustified,evenifcarriedoutbyacompetentperson.

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Underground cables

IfyoususpectthereareundergroundcablesownedbytheDNOinthevicinityofwhereyouproposetoexcavate,asktheDNOandlandownerforplanstoconfirmtheirlocation.IftheyareincloseproximitytotheworkingareayoumayneedtoasksomeonefromtheDNOtocomeandaccuratelylocatethemforyou.Ifyouareexcavatingwhereyourowncablesarepresent,thensomeonewhoisexperiencedinundergroundcabledetectiontechniquesshouldhelpyoulocatethem.

Your electrical system

Makesure:

■ thereisanaccessibleandclearlyidentifiedswitchneareachfixedmachinetocutoffpowerinanemergency;

■ powercablestomachinesaresuitablyprotected(armouredcable,coveredinthickflexiblerubberorneoprene,orinstalledinconduit)withagoodearthconnection;

■ lightbulbsareprotected,egusebulkhead-typefittings; ■ youavoidusingextensionleadsbyensuringthereare

enoughsocketoutlets–overloadingsocketsbyusingadaptorsisafirehazard.Insuitableplaces,egthefarmoffice,youcanuseamulti-plugsocketblock;

■ three-pinplugsalwayshavetheflexfirmlyclampedtostopthewires,particularlytheearth,pullingoutoftheterminals;

■ fuses,circuitbreakersetcarecorrectlyratedforthecircuittheyprotect.Fusesmustneverbebypassed,over-wiredorwrappedwithfoil;

■ youhaveanappropriateplugandsocketsuitablefortheenvironmentwhereitistobeused(egtoBSEN60309–1)andforequipmentdrawingaheavycurrent,egwelders;

■ outdoorsocketoutlets,thatarelocatedindamporcorrosiveatmospheres,orwheresteamorwaterjetsareused,areofanappropriatetypeandprotectedbyaresidualcurrentdevice(RCD).Getadvice–neveruseahousehold-typesocket;

■ coverstoelectricalequipmentarekeptclosedand,ifpossible,locked,withthekeyheldbyaresponsibleperson;

■ mainswitchesarereadilyaccessibleandclearlyidentified,everyoneknowshowtousetheminanemergency,andhowtosecurelyisolatecircuits;

■ wiringisinstalledinprotectiveconduitorsimilartoavoiddamagebyratsandmice;

■ installationsarecheckedperiodicallyandrepairscarriedoutbyacompetentelectrician;

■ damagedcablesareisolatedandrepairedorreplacedimmediately.

Portable equipment

Electricaltoolsusedoutdoorsorwherethereisalotofearthedmetalworkshouldbeoperatedatreducedvoltagefromasafetyisolatingtransformer(eg110voltscentretappedtoearth)orbeconnectedthroughanRCDwhichwillcutoffthepowerquicklyifthereisanearthfault.Considerwhetheryoucanavoidusingelectricityaltogether,egbyusingpneumatictoolsintheworkshop,butcheckthenoiselevelsarenottoohigh.

Makesureyouandyourworkers:

■ useelectricalplugsandfittingsthataresufficientlyrobustandsuitableforthewetordustyconditionslikelytobefoundinagriculture;

■ regularlyinspectthewiringandconditionofallportabletools.Don’tforgethiredorborrowedtools;

■ takesuspectorfaultytoolsoutofuse,puttheminasecureplaceandmakesuretheyarenotuseduntilrepairedbyacompetentperson;

■ makesomeoneresponsibleforregularlyoperatingthe‘test’buttononRCDstoensuretheyworkcorrectly;

■ switchofftoolsandpowersocketsbeforepluggingin; ■ unplugorisolateappliancesbeforecleaningormaking

adjustments; ■ providesufficientsocketoutletstokeeptheuseofextension

leadstoaminimum.Whenanextensionleadhastobeused,checkitisingoodconditionandthatitispositionedwhereitwon’tbedamagedorcreateatrippinghazard;

■ onweldingsets,onlyuseinsulatedleadsandundamagedelectrodeholders.

Electric shock

Itisimportanttoknowwhattodoifsomeonereceivesanelectricshock.Rememberalwaystodisconnectthepowersourcefirst.Ifthatisnotpossible,nevertouchtheelectrocutedpersonexceptwithnon-conductingitemsandneverusemetal.Resuscitationneedstrainingandpracticesomakesureyouandyourworkersreceiveelementaryfirst-aidtraining.Youcanalsodisplayan‘electricshockposter’,whichshowswhattodo(see‘Findoutmore’).

Find out more

Working safely near overhead electricity power lines AIS8(rev3)Avoiding danger from overhead power linesGS6Maintaining portable and transportable electrical equipmentHSG107Electric shock: First aid procedures(poster)FurtherinformationisavailablefromyourlocalDNOandtheEnergyNetworksAssociation:www.energynetworks.org

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15 Child and public safety

Everyyearchildrenarekilledduringagriculturalworkactivities.Peopleoftenbelievethatfarmchildrenunderstandfarmrisks,butthevastmajorityofchildrenwhodieinfarmincidentsarefamilymembers.Afewstraightforwardsteps,andpropersupervisionofchildren,willreducetheserisks.

Othermembersofthepublicmayalsobeatrisk,egwhenusingpublicrightsofwaythroughfieldscontainingcattleandcalves.

The risks from machinery

Thelawsaysthatnochildunder13maydriveorrideontractorsandotherself-propelledmachinesusedinagriculture.

Beforeallowingchildrenover13tooperateatractor,certainconditionsmustbemet.ThesearedescribedinfullinHSE’sfreeleafletINDG472Preventing accidents to children on farms.

Childrenunder16mustnotdrive,operate,orhelptooperate,anyofthefollowing:

■ towedorself-propelledharvestersandprocessingmachines;

■ trailersorfeedequipmentwithconveying,loading/unloadingorspreadingmechanisms;

■ power-drivenmachineswithcutting,splitting,orcrushingmechanismsorpower-operatedsoil-engagingparts;

■ chemicalapplicatorssuchasmounted,trailedorknapsacksprayers;

■ handlingequipmentsuchaslifttrucks,skidsteerloadersorcertainATVs.

Itisillegaltocarrychildrenunder13inthecabofanagriculturalvehicle,anditisunsafe.Childrencananddo:

■ fallfromthedoorwayortherearwindow; ■ interferewiththeoperator’scontrolofthevehicle; ■ distracttheoperatororunintentionallyoperatecontrols,

egtheparkingbrakeorhydraulics,whentheoperatorleavesthecab,egtoopenagate.

Ifyoucarrychildrenoradultsontrailers(egforfarmvisits,or‘pick-your-own’)makesurethat:

■ thetrailerisingoodcondition,withallsafetydevicesworking;

■ seatingisprovidedandsecuredtothetrailer.Well-madebales,ifproperlysecured,maybeadequate;

■ guardrailsarefittedaroundthetraileredges; ■ therearesafemounting/dismountingarrangements; ■ childrenaresupervisedbyaresponsibleadultandthere

isameansofcontactingthedriverfromthetrailer.

Ifyouhavetoleavemachineryinanareaaccessedbymembersofthepublic,makesureitisleftinasafecondition,withthekeysremoved,thecablocked,thecontrolsinneutral,foreloadersetcloweredtotheground,andtheparkingbrakeappliedorwheelschocked.

Makesurethatcontractorsandvisitingdrivershaveclearlydefineddirectionsonwheretopark,loadandunloadandwheretowait.Thisisparticularlyimportantifyouareawareofpublicaccessroutesacrossyardsorifthedeliveryzoneisadjacenttothefarmhouse.

The risks from animals

Animalsdonotneedtoattacktoposeadangertopeople:

■ A‘playful’bull,cow,sheeporpigcankillorseverelyinjure. ■ Veterinarymedicinesandapplicationequipmentcan

causeillhealth. ■ Diseasescanbepassedfromanimalstohumans.

Checkthatchildrenorothermembersofthepublic:

■ cannotenteranyyardorpenetcoccupiedbypotentiallydangerousanimals.Rememberthatfemaleanimals,especiallythosewithyoung,cankillorinjureanyone,includingchildren;

■ donothaveaccesstooruseanyformofchemicalsorveterinarymedicinesandproducts,eghypodermicsyringes.Lockthemaway;

■ donotlookafteranimalsorpoultrywithoutcompetentsupervision.

The law

ThePreventionofAccidentstoChildreninAgricultureRegulations1998(PACAR)makeitillegaltoallowachildunder13torideonordriveagriculturalself-propelledmachines(suchastractors)andcertainotherfarmmachinery.TheManagementofHealthandSafetyatWorkRegulations1999requirethatemployersmakesuretheirriskassessmentforyoungpeopleundertheageof18takesfullaccountoftheirinexperience,immaturityandlackofawarenessofrelevantrisks.

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Normally,youwillnotberequiredtoprovidePPEtochildrenormembersofthepublicvisitingyourfarm.IfPPEisrequiredforyoungworkersthisshouldbeappropriatetothetask,egasuitableridinghat.

Remember,ifyouhavefieldswithrightsofwayorotherpermittedpublicaccess,makesure:

■ youdonotkeepbullsofrecogniseddairybreedsinfieldswithfootpaths;

■ youassessthetemperamentofanycattlekeptinfieldswithpublicaccess,andremovefromthegroupanywithahistoryofaggression,orthatmaybeaggressivebecauseofillness,youngcalvesetc;

■ ifyoukeepbeefstockbullsinsuchfields,thattheyareaccompaniedbyfemalestockandyouputupsuitablesigns;

■ youconsiderwhetheritisreasonablypracticabletotemporarilyfencerightsofwaysothatcattlecannotaccessthem.

The risks in the workplace

Farmsarenotplaygrounds.Rememberthatchildrenarenaturallycurious,andwilloftengetintoapparentlyinaccessibleplaces.Makesuretheyareexcludedfrompotentiallydangerousareas,suchas:

■ chemicalstores; ■ slurrypitsandlagoons(whichmayfalselyappearsafeto

walkon); ■ reservoirsorsheepdips(whichareoftenisolated); ■ grainintakepitsandgrainbins; ■ machineryorbuildingmaintenanceactivities.

Todeteraccesstotheseareasuse:

■ fencing,suchaspignettingtoppedwithtwostrandsofbarbedwire,toanoverallheightofatleast1.3m.Gatesshouldbesheeted,orotherwiseimpossibletoclimb,andpadlocked;

■ grids(withamaximumaperturespaceof62mm);or ■ solidcoverswhichwillnotmoveorgivewayifchildren

strayontothem.

Alsokeepchildrenawayfromyardsorplaceswithvehiclemovementsandmakesuretheyarereturnedtoaresponsibleadultiftheystrayintotransportareas.Makesureeveryoneworkingonthefarmisawarethatchildrenmaybepresent.Explainthattheyareauthorisedtostopworkifanychildrenareintheworkareaandtosendthemsomewheresafe.

Keeptoolsandworkequipmentsecured.

Gates and wheels Childrenmaybetemptedtoclimbongatesorwheels.Checkthatgatesareproperlyerectedandwillnottopple.Storeflatorfirmlysecureuprightanytractorwheelsorgatesnotinuse.

Stacks of hay or straw Stacksofhayorstrawappearidealformakingdensin,buttheycancollapseorcatchfire,killingthoseunderorontopofthem.Checkladdershavebeenstoredsafelywherechildrencannotgetatthem,thereisnoevidenceofchildrenburrowingunderstacks,andmatchesetcarekeptinasafeplace.

Grain bins Grainbinsalsoseeminvitingplacesinwhichtoplay,untilthegrainbeginstoflowoutandthechildisdrawnintothegrainanddrowns.Makesurechildrencannotgainaccesstobins,andchecktheyarenotinthestorebeforestartingmachinery.

The risks on open farms and other visitor attractions

Thereareanumberofdiseaseswhichpeoplecancatchfromanimals,egthroughcontactwithfaeces.Theelderlyandchildrenareoftenparticularlyatriskfromsuchdiseases,whichincludeinfectionsfromorganismssuchascryptosporidium,campylobacter,E.coliO26andO157andsalmonella.Theseinfectionscankill.Ifyouinvitethepublicontoyourfarm:

■ decidewhetheryouwanttoallowvisitorstohavedirectcontactwiththeanimals.Tellthemabouttherisksandwhereandwhentheywillbeabletousewashingfacilities(inparticular,remindnailbiters,penchewersandthumbsuckers).Provideinformationsignstoremindthem;

■ washingfacilitiesshouldbesufficientfortheexpectednumbersofvisitorsneedingtousethematonetime,andshouldincluderunningwater(preferablywarm),soapandpapertowels;

■ alcoholgelsandwipesarenotasubstituteforhandwashingonfarms;

■ providetrainingandsupervisionforworkersontheneedforvisitorstowashanddrytheirhandsthoroughly;

■ ifyouaresellingfoodforhumanconsumptiondosoonlyaftervisitorshavepassedanimalcontactareasandwashingfacilities;

■ donotalloweatinginpartsofthefarmwhereanimalscanbetouched.

The‘IndustryCodeofPractice’hasmoredetailsonprotectingvisitorsfromdiseases.See‘Findoutmore’.

IfyouopenyourfarmtothepublicandschoolsonaregularbasisyoumaywishtoconsiderundertakinganaccreditationcoursesuchastheCountrysideEducationalVisitsAccreditationScheme(CEVAS).Visitwww.face-online.org.ukformoreinformation.

Find out more

Preventing accidents to children on farms INDG472Managing slurry on farmsAlS9(rev2)Cattle and public access in England and Wales AIS17EW(rev1)Cattle and public access in ScotlandAlS17S(rev1)IndustryCodeofPractice:www.face-online.org.uk/codeofpractice

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16 Handling livestock

Handlinglivestockalwaysinvolvesariskofinjury,sothisadvicewillhelpyouimproveyourhandlingsystemandmakeitsaferandmoreefficient.Healthhazardsassociatedwithlivestockarecoveredinsection15‘Childandpublicsafety’,section19‘Healthproblemsinagriculture’andsection22‘Noiseandvibration’.

What are the risks?

Thereisalwaysariskfromcrushing,kicking,buttingorgoring.Theriskisgreateriftheanimalshavenotbeenhandledfrequently,suchasthosefromhillsormoorland,sucklersornewlycalvedcows.Certainjobsmayincreasetherisk,egveterinarywork.

Attemptingtocarryoutstocktasksonunrestrainedcattleorwithmakeshiftequipmentisparticularlyhazardous.Neverunderestimatetheriskfromcattle,evenwithgoodprecautionsinplace.

Reduce the risks

Toreducetheriskofinjurytoyouandyouremployees,aswellasvisitorssuchasvetsandstatutoryinspectors,whenhandlingcattleyoushouldhave:

■ properhandlingfacilities,whicharewellmaintainedandingoodworkingorder;

■ araceandacrushsuitablefortheanimalstobehandled; ■ trainedandcompetentworkers; ■ arigorouscullingpolicyfortemperamentalanimals.

The race

■ Animalsshouldbeabletoreadilyentertherace,whichshouldhaveafunnelend.

■ Makesurethereisenoughroominthecollectingpenforthemtofeedintothefunneleasily.

■ Acircularcollectingpenmeansworkerscanstandsafelybehindaforcinggateastheymoveanimalsintotherace,andkeeptheanimalsmoving.

■ Animalsneedtoseeclearlytothecrushandbeyond,sothattheywillreadilymovealongtherace.

■ Theracemaybecurved,butshouldnotincludetightturns. ■ Animalsaremorepreparedtomovetowardsalightarea

thanintothedark.

■ Thesidesoftheraceshouldbehighenoughtopreventanimalsfromjumpingoverthem,andtheyshouldbeproperlysecuredtothegroundandtoeachotherformaximumstrength.

■ Sheetthesidesoftheracetohelpkeepcattlemovingbyreducingdistractionssuchasshadowsandotheranimals.

■ Containtheleadanimalintheracewhileitwaitsitsturntoenterthecrush.

■ Hingedorslidingdoorsaresuitable,butbesuretheyareoperatedfromtheworkingsideoftheracesotheoperatordoesnothavetoreachacrosstheracetoclosethegate.

■ Neverworkonananimalinthecrushwithanunsecuredanimalwaitingintheracebehind.

The crush

Acrushshouldallowmoststraightforwardtaskstobecarriedoutinsafety(includingoraltreatments,eartaggingandworkfromtherearend).Itshould:

■ havealockingfrontgateandyoke(ideallyself-locking)toallowtheanimal’sheadtobefirmlyheld.Additionalheadrestraintwillpreventtheanimaltossingitsheadupandinjuringpeople;

■ havearumprail,chainorbartominimiseforwardandbackwardmovementoftheanimal.Alwaysusethis;

■ besecuredtothegroundor,ifmobile,toavehicle; ■ bepositionedtoallowyoutoworksafelyaroundit,

The law

TheHealthandSafetyatWorketcAct1974requiresyoutoassessandcontrolrisksfromworkactivitiessofarasisreasonablypracticable.Alsoseesection21‘Manualhandling’.

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withouttheriskofcontactwithotheranimals,andhavegoodnaturalorartificiallighting;

■ allowgatesetctoopensmoothlywiththeminimumofeffortandnoise.Regularmaintenancewillhelp;

■ haveaslip-resistantfloor,madeofsoundhardwoodboltedintoplace(nailsarenotsuitable),metalchequerplate,orwitharubbermatoverthebase.

Specialisedtasks,suchasbellyorfoottrimming,requireapurpose-designedcrushwithadequaterestraintandenoughroomtoworksafely.

Other equipment

■ Considertheneedforsheddinggatesafterthecrushtoallowanimalstobesortedintogroups.

■ Workaroundthecrushwillbemoreconvenientifitisundercoverwithaworkbenchnearby(fordocumentation,veterinarymedicines,instrumentsetc).

■ Donotusemakeshiftgatesandhurdles–theywillmakehandlingmoredifficultandincreasetheriskofinjury.

■ Neverusesticksandprodstostrikeananimal–thismaybreachwelfarelegislationaswellasagitatingtheanimal.

■ Beforebeginningworkonanyanimal,checkthatitwillbeadequatelyrestrainedfromkicking.Considerwhetheryoushoulduseananti-kickingdevice.

Foradviceonkeepingcattleinfieldswithpublicaccess,seesection15‘Childandpublicsafety’.

Keeping bulls

Accidents,someofthemfatal,happeneveryyearbecausebullsarenottreatedwithrespect.Remember,abullcankillyouwhenheisbeingplayfuljustaseasilyaswhenheisangry.Makesureyoucanhandleyourbullsafely:

■ Trainbullstoassociatepeoplewithfeeding,groomingorexercise.

■ Ringbullsattenmonthsoldandinspecttheringregularly. ■ Findouthowbullsnewtothefarmhavebeenhandled,the

equipmenttheyareusedto,andtaketimetogettoknowthem.

■ Checkhandlersarecompetent(withtrainingandsupervisionasnecessary),fit,knowledgeableaboutsafetyequipmenttobeusedandawareofthedangers.

■ Usehandlingaidssuchasbullpolesandhalters. ■ Avoidrunningstockbullsthroughthemilkingparlour–

separatethemfromcowsusingsafepractices. ■ Provideapurpose-builtpenfordairybulls.Makesureithas:

- alyingandanexercisearea;- outerwallsatleast1.5mhigh,strongenoughtocontainthebull;

- facilitiestoallowfeedingandwateringfromoutsidethepen;- fences,wallsandgateswhichwillnotallowchildrenordogsthrough;

- aremotelyoperatedgateoryokesystemwhichallowsthebulltoberestrainedbeforeanyoneentersthepen;

- arefugeorchild-resistantemergencyescaperoute.

Nooneshouldeverentertheenclosurewhenthebullisloose.

Preparing cattle for the abattoir

TheFoodStandardsAgency(FSA)hasproducedadviceonthehusbandrysystemsfarmerscanadopttokeepcattleclean:Clean beef cattle for slaughter: A guide for producers (FSA/0951/1104)isavailablefromtheirwebsiteatwww.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/cleanbeefsaf1007.pdf.Puttingthesesystemsinplacewillreducetheneedtocleancattlebeforetheyleavethefarm.

Other livestock

Sheep–Reducetheriskofinjuryfromhandlingsmalleranimalssuchassheepbyusingraces,sheddinggatesandturnovercrates.

Pigs–Makefulluseofpigboardswhenmovingorworkingamonganimals.Ensurethesowisproperlyrestrainedorsegregatedwhenworkingwithpiglets,especiallyinoutdoorfarrowingsystems.

Find out moreHandling and housing cattleAIS35(rev1)

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17 Chainsaws and tree work

Mostfarmshaveachainsaw,whichmaybeusedforeverythingfromcuttingfirewoodandtoppingfenceposts,tothinningcoppicesandfellinglargehardwoods.Somefarmshaveforestryoperationsandusemorecomplexmachinery.Allworkwithtreesishighriskandsafesystemsofworkmustbeprovided.

Noforestrymachinery,particularlythefarmchainsaw,shouldbeusedwithoutadequatetraining,anunderstandingoftherisksinvolved,thecorrectprotectiveclothingandpropercommunicationarrangements.

Allworkerswhouseachainsawshouldbecompetenttodoso.Beforeusingachainsawtocarryoutworkonorinatree,aworkershouldhavereceivedappropriatetrainingandobtainedarelevantcertificateofcompetenceornationalcompetenceaward,unlesstheyareundergoingsuchtrainingandareadequatelysupervised.

Thismeanseveryoneworkingwithchainsawsonorintreesshouldholdsuchacertificateorawardunless:

■ itisbeingdoneaspartofagriculturaloperations(eghedging,clearingfallenbranches,pruningtreestomaintainclearanceformachines);and

■ theworkisbeingdonebytheoccupierortheiremployees;and

■ theyhaveusedachainsawbefore5December1998.

Everyonewhousesachainsawatworkforwhatevertaskmusthavereceivedadequatetraining. Location

Checkthat:

■ anyoverheadelectriclinesarefurtherthantwotreelengthsfromanytreetobefelledoratleast10mfromanyothertreework;

■ youhaveagreedwithyourlocalDNOwhenthepoweristobeturnedoff;

■ youhaveagreedwithyourlocalDNOwhenthepoweristobere-energised;

■ youhavetakenintoaccountthepositionofroads,footpaths,orpublicaccess,andprovidedwarningsignsorbarriers,orclosedroadsifnecessary;

■ youknowthedirectionthetreewillfall,thatitissuitableandthatyouhaveselectedaclearescaperoute;

■ noone(includingthirdparties)iswithintwotreelengthsofthetreebeingfelled;

■ theoperatorhasasecurefoothold,anescaperouteandasclearasiteaspossible.

Avoidworkingalonewithachainsaw.Wherethisisnotpossible,workouthowyouwillraisethealarmifsomethinggoeswrong,egmobilephonepre-setbutton.

The law

AswellastheProvisionandUseofWorkEquipmentRegulations1998(seesection11‘Selectingandusingworkequipment’),thePersonalProtectiveEquipmentatWorkRegulations1992apply.Whereriskstohealthandsafetycannotbeadequatelycontrolledbyothermeans,suitablePPEmustbeprovided.

Workoffthegroundinvolvingtheliftingandloweringofpeopleorloads,includingwork-positioningtechniques,willbesubjecttotherequirementsoftheWorkatHeightRegulations2005(WAHR)andtheLiftingOperationsandLiftingEquipmentRegulations1998(LOLER).

On/offswitch

Combined chain brake and front hand guard

Exhaust (directed away from the operator)

Rear chain breakage guard

Chain with low- kickback characteristics

Anti-vibration mounts

Throttle trigger lockout

Guide bar (a cover should be fitted when transporting)

Chain catcher

Hand/eye/ear defender symbols

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Eyeprotection

Hearingprotection

Appropriategloves

Legprotectionandchainsawboots

Helmet

Chainsaws

Usethefollowingcheckliststosafeguardoperators.Itisessentialfortheirsafeusethatchainsawsareproperlymaintainedandcorrectlystored.

Checkthat:

■ theon/offswitchisclearlymarked; ■ thesideplate,frontandrearhandguardsarefitted,in

positionandingoodorder,withthechain,guidebarandsprocketsandchaincatcherundamaged;

■ achainwithlowkickbackcharacteristicsisused; ■ thechainisproperlysharpened,tensionedandlubricated; ■ thechainbrakeisproperlyadjustedandworking; ■ thesilencerandanti-vibrationmountsareingood

workingorder.

Circular saws

Whenusingcircularsaws:

■ alwaysusepush-sticksorloggrippers; ■ makesureallsawguards,includingtherivingknife,arein

position.Adjustguardsascloseaspossibletothework; ■ regularlyexaminebladesforcracksormissingteeth.Do

notuseanybladeswhichhaveteethmissing,whicharecracked,orwhichshowsignsofweldedorbrazedrepairs;

■ checkthatthebladewillrunatthecorrectspeed,andthatitisstillsharpandcorrectlytensioned;

■ makesurethesawbenchisatacorrectheight,securelyanchored,protectedagainsttheweather,andthatthedriveorpowercanbedisconnectedeffectively.Ifitistractorpowered,ensurethePTOguardisfittedandmaintained;

■ makesurethecircularsawiswellmaintained; ■ makesureithasabrakingsystemiftherundowntimeofthe

bladeafterswitchingoffpowerisgreaterthantenseconds.Thiswillnotbenecessaryonmachineswherethebladeisfullyenclosedwhileitcomestorest.

Other machinery

■ Astandardfarmtractorwillnotbesuitableforforestryusewithoutsubstantialmodificationtoprotectvulnerableequipment,improvestability,andincreasetraction.

■ Winchtractorsmustbeabletobeproperlyanchoredbytheuseofspades,awinchbuttplateordozerblade.Winchingisalwaysbetterthantowing,butifyoumustuseaconventionaltractorfortowing,thenattachthecabletothedrawbarinitslowestpositionandinlinewiththedirectionofpull.Nevertowacrossaslope.

■ Whenusinglogsplitters,firmlypositionthetimberbeforesplittingbegins,avoidsplittingintoaknotandneverusehandsorfeettoholdtheloginplaceduringthesplittingprocess.

■ Log-loadingcranesarepotentiallyhazardoustopeoplenearby.Theoperatormusthaveagoodviewoftheworkarea,andnooneshouldbewithinthe‘riskzone’(twicethereachoftheboom)oronthetrailerduringloading.BewareofOHPLs.

The chainsaw operator

NeveruseachainsawwithoutthecorrectPPE–theriskofinjuryfromthechainsawcannotbecontrolledadequatelyinanyotherway.Providethefollowing:

■ safetyhelmet–toBSEN397; ■ hearingprotection–toBSEN352–1; ■ eyeprotection–meshvisorstoBSEN1731orsafety

glassestoBSEN166; ■ gloves–appropriateglovesarerecommendedunder

mostcircumstances.Thetypeofglovewilldependonariskassessmentofthetaskandthemachine.Considertheneedforprotectionfromcutsfromthechainsaw,thornymaterialandcold/wetconditions.Wherechainsawprotectionisrequired,provideglovestoBSEN381–7;

■ legprotection–toBSEN381–5.All-roundprotectionisrecommendedforoccasionalusers,eginfarming;

■ chainsawboots–toBSENISO20345andbearingashielddepictingachainsawtoshowcompliancewithBSEN381–3.Foroccasionalusersworkingonevengroundwherethereislittleriskoftrippingorsnaggingonundergrowthorbrash,protectivegaitersconformingtoBSEN381–9wornincombinationwithsteel-toe-cappedsafetyboots.

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Alsoprovide:

■ adequatetrainingforthejobinhand,includingtraininginhowtodealwithdangeroussituationsthatcanariseduringthework,eghung-uptreesorclearanceofwindblow;

■ communication,transportarrangementsandlocationdetailsincaseofanaccident;

■ first-aidarrangementsatthesiteofwork.

Working with chainsaws off the ground

Chainsawsshouldneverbeusedoffthegroundunlesstheoperatorhasbeenadequatelytrainedinsafeworkingtechniques.Workoffthegroundinvolvingtheliftingandloweringofpeopleorloads,includingwork-positioningtechniques,willbesubjecttotherequirementsoftheWAHRandLOLERRegulations.Seesection8‘Preventingfalls’andsection10‘Workplacetransport’.

NB:Rear-handledsawsmustbeusedwhenworkingontheground.Top-handledchainsawsareonlysuitableforuseofftheground,bytrainedandcertificatedarborists.

Mobile elevating work platforms

Whenworkingatheight,egloppingoverhangingbrancheswhichinterferewithfieldworkoperations:

■ neveraccessbranchestoberemovedbyusingladders,grainbuckets,orbystandingonthetopofothermachines;

■ alwaysuseapurpose-builtplatformsuchasamobileelevatingworkplatform(MEWP);

■ makesureoperatorshavereceivedadequatetraininginthesafeoperationoftheplatformandthesafeuseofachainsawfromtheworkplatform;

■ neveruseachainsawwhilestandinginatreeunlessyouhavebeenproperlytrained.Thisrequiresspecialistskillsandacompetentarboriculturalcontractorshouldbeused.

Work from ladders

Donotuseachainsawwhenworkingfromaladder.Chainsawsrequirebothhandstobeoperatedsafelyandworkingfromaladderrequiresonehandtoholdtheladdertomaintainasteadyposition.Laddersarenormallyonlyusedasameansofaccessintothecrownofthetree.

Ropes and harnesses

Usingachainsawfromaropeandharnessrequiresspecialskills.Thisshouldonlybedonebypeoplewhohaveobtainedtherelevantcertificatesofcompetenceornationalcompetenceawardfor:

■ climbingtreesandperformingaerialrescue; ■ usingachainsawfromaropeandharness.

Management of tree stocks

Rememberthatyouneedtoconsiderpublicsafetyaspartofanoverallapproachtotreemanagement.Particularattentionwillneedtobepaidtotreeswherethereisfrequentpublicaccess,forexamplealongpopularfootpathsorbesidebusyroads.

Find out more

Tree-climbing operationsAFAG401(rev2)Chainsaws at workINDG317(rev2)HSE’streeworkwebpages:www.hse.gov.uk/treeworkNationalTreeSafetyGroupCommon sense risk management of trees: Landowner summary of guidance

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Farmwise:YouressentialguidetohealthandsafetyinagricultureStaying healthy

18 COSHH and health

What COSHH covers

Usingchemicalsorexposuretootherhazardoussubstancesatworkcanmakeyouill.COSHHcoversallsubstanceshazardoustohealth,including:

■ substancesuseddirectlyinworkactivities,egcleaningchemicals,dairydisinfectants,fertilisers,manypesticidesandveterinarymedicines;

■ substancesgeneratedduringworkactivities,egfumesfromwelding;

■ naturallyoccurringsubstances,eggraindust,poultrydust,siloandslurrypitgases;

■ biologicalagents,egbacteriaandfungi.

What COSHH requires

COSHHrequiresyouto:

■ assesstheriskstohealthfromthehazardoussubstancesusedinorcreatedbyyourworkactivities;

■ decidewhatprecautionsarenecessarytoprotectworkers; ■ preventoradequatelycontrolexposure.Whereyoucan’t

eliminateexposure,introducemeasurestoreduceexposuretominimisetherisks;

■ makesurethatcontrolmeasuresareusedandproperlymaintainedandthatsafeworkingpracticesarefollowed;

■ carryouthealthsurveillanceandmonitorworkers’health; ■ inform,instructandtrainemployeesabouttherisksandthe

precautionsneeded.Adequatesupervisionisalsoessential; ■ prepareplanstodealwithinjuries,incidentsand

emergencies,egaleakageorspillageofchemicals.

Ifyourgeneralriskassessmenthascoveredhazardoussubstancesyoudonotneedtorepeatit.

Prevent exposure

Youshouldfirstaimtoeliminateexposuretohazardoussubstances.Youmight:

■ changethewayyouworksothatthehazardoussubstanceisnotneededorgenerated,egdon’tusecorrosivesilageadditives;

■ replaceahazardoussubstancewithasaferalternative,egusewater-basedpaintratherthansolvent-basedpaint;

■ usethehazardoussubstanceinadifferentform,egintroducealiquidorwetfeedinplaceofadustymealorcrumb.

Control exposure

Ifyouhavetousethehazardoussubstanceoryoucan’tavoidexposuretoanaturalproductsuchasdustfromgrainorpoultry,thenyoumustputinplaceappropriatecontrolmeasures,including,inorderofpriority,oneormoreofthefollowing:

■ waysofworkingthatminimisetheamountofsubstanceusedorproduced;

■ engineeringcontrols,egenclosingtheprocessorfittingLEVtoremovetoxicfumeordustatsource;

■ minimisinghowlongpeopleareexposed,orhowmany; ■ goodhousekeepingtominimiseaccidentalcontact; ■ PPE,egdustmasks,respirators,glovesetc,butnever

asareplacementforothermeasures; ■ goodwashingfacilities; ■ trainingintheuseofengineeringcontrols,good

practice,andprotectiveequipment.

Rememberthatengineeringcontrolsprotectboththeoperatorandotherpeopleintheworkplace,whilePPEonlyprotectsthewearer.COSHH essentials for farmers (www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/resources/coshh/index.htm)givesadviceoncontrolmeasuresforanumberofcommonagriculturalactivities.

Health surveillance

Despiteallyoureffortstocontrolexposuretohazardoussubstances,someworkersmaystillexperiencesymptomsofillhealth,oftenlaterinlife.Healthsurveillancemaybenecessarytodetectearlysignsofillhealthand,inparticular,itmaybeappropriatewhenworkersareexposedto:

■ duststhatmaycauseasthmaorotherlong-termlungdisease;

■ substancessuchassolventsthatmaycausedermatitis; ■ sheepdipsthatcontainorganophosphorus(OP)compounds.

Healthsurveillancemightinclude:

■ biologicalorbiologicaleffectmonitoring,egbloodtests; ■ regularchecksbyaresponsibleperson,egatrained

supervisorcouldlookatworkers’handsforsignsofdermatitis;

■ periodicalenquiriestocheckthattherearenosymptomsofillhealth,egaskingquestionsaboutbreathingdifficulties;

■ monitoringthecausesofsicknessabsence,egifworkersareabsentfromworkduetoillness,askingwhethertheyortheirdoctorassociatedtheillnesswiththeirwork.

The law

TheControlofSubstancesHazardoustoHealthRegulations2002(asamended)(COSHH)requirethatemployersassessandcontroltherisksfromhazardoussubstances.

Find out more

COSHH Approved Code of PracticeL5Working with substances hazardous to health: A brief guide to COSHHINDG136(rev5)Controlling exposure to poultry dust: Guidance for employersAIS39Grain dustEH66

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19 Health problems in agriculture

Healthproblemscausedbyworkcandevelopunnoticedand,insomecases,maynotbecomeapparentuntilmuchlaterinlife.Youneedtobeawareofthehealthrisksassociatedwithyourworkandthesignsorsymptomsofdevelopingillhealth.

Youshouldreportanysignsofillnesstoyouremployerassoonasyoubecomeawareofthem.Don’tbeafraidtovisityourdoctor.Makesuretheyknowwhatyoudoforalivingsothatappropriatetreatmentcanbestartedasearlyaspossible.Earlydiagnosisandtreatmentmaypreventyourconditionfromworseningandmayevensaveyourlife.

SomehealthproblemssufferedasaresultofworkmustbereportedtoHSE(seesection7‘Firstaid,emergenciesandreporting’).

Chest problems

Themaincausesofrespiratorydiseaseorchestproblemsaredustsorchemicalsatwork.Evenbeingexposedtotheseforashorttimemaycauseunpleasantirritationorinflammationinthenose,throatorlungs.Longerexposuremayleadtomoreseriousproblemsincludingasthmaandchronicbronchitis.

Chestproblemsmayresultfrombreathingin:

■ dustsfromharvestingorhandlinggrain,mixinganimalfeedstuffs,feedinganimals,handlingmouldyhayorbeddinginclosedbuildingsusedforintensiveanimalrearing(especiallypigsandpoultry),andremovingwasteproductsfromanimalorpoultryhouses;

■ vapours(includingfumes,gasesandaerosols)fromslurry,silage,weldingfume,someveterinarymedicinesanddisinfectantssuchasphenolsandglutaraldehyde.

Warningsignsincludeirritation/wateringoftheeyesandnose,blockedstuffynose,sorethroat,coughwithorwithoutphlegm,achingmusclesorfever,breathlessness,tightnessofthechestduringwork,afterworkorwhiledoingexerciseyoucouldnormallycopewith,andwheezing.

Thesesymptomscanbeshort-livedatthetimeofajobortheymaygetworseandlastlongeruntiltheyarealmostalwayspresent.Theycanbesetoffbyevenverysmallexposurestoanysubstancetowhichyouhavebecomeallergicorsensitised.Ifyousmoke,andarealsoexposedtothesesubstances,youaremorelikelytodevelopmoreseriouschestproblems.

Itisimportanttoprotectyourselfandyourworkers.Forproductsthatyoubuy,followtheadviceandinstructionsonthemanufacturer’slabelordatasheet. Avoidbreathingintheharmfulsubstancesby:

■ usingalternativesafersubstanceswherepossible; ■ changingtolowdustmaterials,eggranulesorpellets; ■ enclosingsourcesofdustorspray; ■ vacuumingspillagesinsteadofsweepingup.Usea

high-efficiencyfilterinthecleaner.

Reducetheamountyoubreatheinby:

■ usingLEV,egwhenwelding; ■ usingeffectivefiltersintractororvehiclecabs; ■ maintainingfilterstothemanufacturer’sinstructions;

The law

TheControlofSubstancesHazardoustoHealthRegulations2002(asamended)(COSHH)requirethatemployersassessandcontroltherisksfromhazardoussubstances.

40


■ improvingventilationinbuildings; ■ wearingeffectiverespiratoryprotectiveequipment(RPE).

Makesureyouusetheappropriatemaskorrespiratorfordusts,vapoursoraerosols.

Ifyouneedtowearmasksorrespiratorsalwaysadjustthestrapssotheyfitproperly.Storetheminaclean,dryplaceanddonothangthemfromhooksornailsindirty,dustyareas(seesection23‘Personalprotectiveequipment’).AllmasksandrespiratorsmustbeCE-marked.

Zoonoses

Zoonosesarediseasesthatarepassedfromanimalstohumans.Micro-organismssuchasbacteria,fungi,parasitesandvirusescancauseillnessbyinfectingthebodywhentheyarebreathedin,swallowed,orwhentheypenetratetheskinthroughsmallcutsorgrazes.

MakesureyourCOSHHassessmenttakeszoonosesintoaccountand:

■ minimisetheriskofinfectionbykeepingstockhealthy.Vaccinatewhereappropriate,egagainstenzooticabortionofewes,avoidcontaminatinganimaldrinkingwaterandaskyourvettocheckstockhealthregularly;

■ avoidor,ifthisisnotpossible,reducecontactwithanimals;

■ wearsuitableprotectiveclothingsuchasoverallswhenhandlinganimals,especiallyiftheyaresick,andglovesandawaterproofapronifhandlingpotentiallyinfectedmaterialsuchasproductsofbirthormuckorsewage;

■ ensuregoodpersonalhygiene.Washanddryyourhandsbeforeeating,drinkingorsmoking;

■ immediatelywashanddryallcutsandgrazesandcoverwithawaterproofdressing;

■ controlratsandotherverminthatcanspreaddisease.

Consultyourvetonlikelyzoonosesfromyouranimals,butthecommononesinclude:

■ orffromsheeporgoats,whichproducespainfulpustulesonhands,armsandface;

■ leptospirosisfromrats(Weil’sdisease)andcattleurine,whichcausesafeverishillnesswithheadacheandcanresultinmeningitis.Earlytreatmentisvital;

■ ringworm,whichisafungaldiseasefrommanytypesoflivestock;

■ enzooticabortion(chlamydiapsittaci)fromsheep.Pregnantwomenshouldnotassociateorworkwithewesduringlambing,norbeexposedtosoiledclothingcontaminatedwithafterbirthsetcassevereillnessandmiscarriagemayresult;

■ cryptosporidiosis,fromaparasitepickedupbytouchinglivestock,animalhousing,orfeed,whichcancausediarrhoeainhumans,andbeparticularlysevereinyoungchildren;

■ Lymedisease,fromthebiteofaninfectedtickinwoodlandorgrassland.Startswitharasharoundthesiteofthebiteandintermittentflu-likesymptoms.Moreserioussymptomsaffectingthenervoussystemmaydeveloplater.Earlydiagnosisisessential;

■ Qfeverfromcattleandsheepcanalsobecarriedbyothermammals,includingdeer.Leadstoacuteillnesswithfeverishsymptomsbutoccasionallypneumoniaandothercomplications.ThereisalsoamoreseriouschronicformofQfever;

■ ornithosis(anotherformofchlamydiapsittaci)frombirds,whichcancauseflu-likesymptomsinhumans,followedbypneumonia.

Orfpustule

Diseasestransmittedfromanimalstohumanscanalsoaffectvisitorstoyourfarm,especiallychildrenortheelderly.IllnessfollowinginfectionbysomevirulentformsofE.colibacterium,egO26andO157,maybesevereandevenfatal.Anyruminant(cattle,sheep,goatsanddeer)maycarrytheorganism,whichcansurviveformanyweeksinfaecesorsoil.Goodpersonalhygieneisessential(seesection15‘Childandpublicsafety’).

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Skin problems

Theouterlayeroftheskin,whenintact,actsasabarrier tokeepmoistureinandharmfulsubstancesout. Preventingdamagewillreducetheriskofsubsequentproblemssuchas:

■ contactdermatitis(oreczema),ieinflammationoftheskinduetocontactwithsubstancescausingirritationorallergy;

■ woundinfections; ■ skincancers.

Warningsignsincludedryness,cracking,irritation,itchinessandpain,inflammationandredness,andabnormalgrowthordiscolouration.Ifyouhaveeversufferedfromeczemayourskinmaybemorevulnerabletodamage.

Themaincausesofdamageare:

■ cuts,puncturesorabrasions; ■ exposuretocoldandwet,leadingtodrynessand

chapping; ■ frequentimmersioninwater,whichremovesnaturaloils

fromtheskin; ■ exposuretochemicalsortoplantmaterials,including

sap; ■ overexposuretosunlight,withincreasedriskofskin

cancer.

Toavoidskinproblems:

■ readproductlabelsforinformationontheprecautionsyouneedtotake;

■ wearsuitablegloveswhenhandlingchemicalsorifdamagetoyourskinislikely;

■ washyourhandstoremoveharmfulsubstances,especiallychemicalcontamination,evenifyoucannotseeit;

■ dryyourhandsthoroughlyafterwashing; ■ applymoisturiserregularlyafterwashingandatnight; ■ washanddrycutsandgrazesandcoverwitha

waterproofdressing; ■ treatminorinfectionsimmediately.

Insunnyweather:

■ don’tstripoff,butkeepyourtopon,especiallywhileyouareworkinginthethreeorfourhoursaroundnoon.Awide-brimmedhatwillshadethefaceandhead;

■ useaneffectivesunscreencreamorlotionwhichcanprovideusefuladditionalprotectionforpartsofthebodythatarenoteasytoshadefromthesun.Don’tforgettoreapply,ifnecessary,throughoutthedaytomaintainprotection;

■ applymoisturiserregularlyafterwashingandatnighttohelpmaintaintheouterbarrierlayeroftheskin.

Ifyounoticeanychangesinwarts,molesorskindiscolourationthenseekyourdoctor’sadvice.Alwaysseeyourdoctorifyouareconcernedaboutyourskincondition,asitisimportanttotreatinfectionsandinflammationsproperly.

Thesapfrommanyplants,includingcelery,parsnipsandprimula,cancauseskinproblems,whichmaybeworseiftheskinisexposedtothesun(‘phytophotosensitivity’).Inmostcases,gloveswillpreventcontactbetweenthesapandtheskinsothatproblemswillnotrecur.

Stress

Stressisthereactionpeoplehavetoexcessivepressureorothertypesofdemandplacedonthem.Manypeopleinagricultureworkunderpressure,egfromconflictingdemands,toomuchtodointoolittletime,orworkingwithinadequatelycontrolledhazards.

Thelawrequiresyou,asemployers,totakeactionandtherearepracticalthingsthatfarmingbusinessescandotomanagetherisksassociatedwithwork-relatedstress.FormoreinformationonstressseetheHSEwebsite:www.hse.gov.uk/stress.

Independent,trainedhelpandinformationisavailablefromcharitiessuchastheRuralStressInformationNetwork,whichco-ordinatesanumberoflocalinitiatives,RuralMinds,andfrombefriendersatSamaritans.

YoucangetmoreadviceonhealthproblemsinagriculturefromyourGP,fromHSE’smedicalinspectors,orfromotherhealthandsafetyprofessionals,includingoccupationalhealthdoctorsandnursesandoccupationalhygienists.

Find out more

Grain dustEH66Controlling exposure to poultry dust: Guidance for employersAIS39Is poultry dust making you ill?INDG426(pocketcard)

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20 Pesticides and veterinary medicines

PesticidesYoushouldonlybuypesticidesthathavebeenapprovedforstorageanduseintheUK.LookfortheHSE,MAFForMAPPapprovalnumberontheproduct’slabel.Bewareofalloffersofcheappesticides,asthesemaybeillegalunapprovedproducts.ListsofapprovedproductscanbefoundonHSE’swebsites:www.pesticides.gov.ukandwww.hse.gov.uk/biocides.

Storing and transporting pesticides

Allpesticidesshouldbestoredintheiroriginalcontainerswiththeapprovedproductlabels.Neverdecantpesticidesintodrinksbottlesorothersimilarcontainers.

HSE’sinformationsheetAIS16Guidance on storing pesticides for farmers and other professional userssetsoutthestandardsforbothfixedandmobilestores.Allstoresshouldbe:

■ designedtocontainleakageorspillage; ■ constructedofnon-combustiblematerial; ■ securedagainstunauthorisedaccess.

Practisegoodstoremanagement,includingkeepinganup-to-datestockrecord.Keepacopyreadilyavailableintheeventofanemergency.Alwayscheckcontainersforleakagebeforeremovingthemfromstorage.Donotremoveleakingcontainers,buteitherover-drumortransferthecontentstoasoundcontainer.Donotleavestoresopenwhenunattended.Supervisealldeliveriestomakesurethatnewstockisstoredsafelyandsecurely.

Nevercarrypesticidesinthecabofatractor,self-propelledequipmentorothervehicle.Useeithera:

■ vehiclewithabulkheadbetweenthecabandtheloadcompartment;

■ secure,leak-proofchemicalcontainer;or ■ securecabinetmountedontheoutsideofthevehicle

oronatrailer.

Makesureyoulockthevehicleorcabinetwheneveryouarenotinsightofit.

Use pesticides properly

Thedecisiontousepesticidesshouldnotbetakenlightlyandshouldformpartofathoroughriskassessment.Youmayneedexperthelptomaketherightdecisionand(ifyoudodecidetouseapesticide)tochoosetherightproduct.

Failuretousepesticidescorrectlycanputpeopleandtheenvironmentatrisk.Theaquaticenvironmentisverysensitivetopesticidecontamination.Plantheuseofpesticidescarefullyandmakesurethatyouputtheappropriatecontrolsinplacebeforeyoustart,includingwhattodoifanythinggoeswrong.Takespecialcarewhenapplyingpesticidesneartowater.Youmayneedtocompletealocalenvironmentalriskassessmentforpesticides(LERAP).

■ Alwaysreadandmakesureyouunderstandthe

instructionsonthelabelandinanysafetydatasheet(SDS)orleafletsuppliedwiththeproduct.Failuretofollowtheseinstructionsmaybeanoffenceandmayleadtoprosecution.

■ MakesureyouuseanyPPEidentifiedintheinstructions. ■ Onlyspraywhenweatherconditionsaresuitabletoreduce

spraydrift. ■ Trytoavoidwalkingthroughtreatedareas. ■ Donoteat,drinkorsmokewhenapplyingpesticides. ■ Washhandsbeforetakingarestbreak. ■ Donotusefaultyapplicationequipment.Allequipment

shouldbemaintainedtoahighstandardtopreventleakageandcalibratedtoensureaccurateapplication.

■ Donotoverfillsprayertanksandsecureallcapsandlidsbeforeuse.

■ Afteruse,cleanallequipmentinsideandout,preferablybeforeleavingthetreatmentarea.Returnanyunusedpesticidetothestoreordisposeofitsafelyandlegally.

■ Adviceonthedisposalofwastepesticides,including

The law

Thedefinitionofpesticidesincludesplantprotectionproductsandbiocides.Europeanlegislationappliestotheplacingonthemarketanduseofplantprotectionproducts(egagriculturalandamenitypesticides).ThisisimplementedintheUKbythePlantProtectionProductsRegulations2011andthePlantProtectionProducts(SustainableUse)Regulations2012.

TheBiocidalProductsRegulationsandtheFoodandEnvironmentProtectionAct1985(FEPA)istherelevantUKlegislationfortheplacingonthemarketanduseofbiocides(egrodenticides,disinfectants,woodpreservativesetc).

PesticidesmaybehazardoussubstancesundertheCOSHHRegulations.

Veterinarymedicinesmaycontainsubstancesthatarepotentiallyharmfultohumanhealth.TheuseoftheseproductswillalsobesubjecttotheCOSHHRegulations.

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packaging(containers,closuresandseals)andpesticidewashingscanbeobtainedfromtheEnvironmentAgency:www.environment-agency.gov.uk.

■ Finally,keeparecordofallpesticideuse.

TheNationalSprayerTestingScheme(NSTS),runbytheAgriculturalEngineersAssociation(AEA),isanindependentvoluntaryinspectionandtestingschemethatcanbeusedforavarietyofapplicationequipment.

Everyonewhousespesticidesmustbecompetentandhavereceivedadequateguidance,instructionortrainingfortheircorrectuse.Insomecases(eguseofaplantprotectionproductauthorisedforprofessionaluse),theusermustholdanappropriate‘specifiedcertificate’(currentlyacertificateofcompetence),orworkunderthedirectsupervisionofsomeonewhoholdssuchacertificate.However,allregularusersofpesticidesatworkareadvisedtoreceiveformaltrainingandareencouragedtoparticipateincontinuousprofessionaldevelopment.

Veterinary medicines including sheep dips

Whenitisnecessarytoadministerveterinarymedicinestolivestock,effectivecontrolmeasureswillberequiredtoreducetheriskstohumanhealth,forexample:

■ Selectalesshazardousveterinaryproduct,egawater-basedvaccineinsteadofanoil-basedone.Thismaybelesslikelytocauseharmifyouaccidentallyinjectyourself.

■ Useasaferapplicationsystem,egapour-onorinjectableproductmaybesaferfortheoperatorthanplungedippingforsheep.

■ Provideeffectiveengineeringcontrols,egproperlydesigneddippingfacilitieswithsplashscreensaroundthedipbath,toreduceoperatorcontaminationfromsplashing.

■ Providefacilitiestomakesureanimalsareproperlyrestrained.Thiswillmakeinjectionsandothertreatmentseasier.

■ Useinjectionequipmentincorporatingneedleguardsanddisinfectiondevicestoreducetheriskofneedlestickinjuriesorcontaminationfromdirtyneedles.

■ Makesureoperatorsareproperlytrainedandcompetenttosafelyusetheproduct.Workwithveterinarymedicinesshouldonlybecarriedoutbycompetentpeoplewhohavereceivedadequateinstruction,informationandtraining.

UndertheVeterinaryMedicinesRegulationsitisanoffencetousesheepdipunlessthisisdoneby,orunderthesupervisionandinthepresenceof,apersonwhoholdsanationallyrecognisedcertificateofcompetenceinthesafeuseofsheepdips.

■ Disposeofanysurplusconcentrateordiluteproductsafely.Carelessuseordisposalofsheepdipscreatesarisktoaquaticlife,souse,storeanddisposeofanydipproperly–notintowatercoursesorsoakaways.

■ Disposeofusedsyringesandneedlesinasharpsbin. ■ Alwaysfollowthelabelorpackageinstructionscarefully,

especiallythoserelatingtoPPE. ■ Washoffsplashesfromtheskinandclothingimmediately,

andwashbeforeeating,drinkingorsmoking.Don’tworkamongfreshlytreatedanimalsifyoucouldbecontaminated,unlessyouarewearingPPE.

■ Followanyemergencymeasuresrecommendedbythemanufacturer;egwithoil-basedvaccines,ifyouinjectyourselfseekpromptmedicalattention.

■ Reportallsuspectedcasesofpoisoningorotheradversereactionssotheycanbethoroughlyinvestigated.

Toreportasuspectedadversereactiontoveterinarymedicinesinanimalsorhumans,contacttheVeterinaryMedicinesDirectorate(VMD)undertheSuspectedAdverseReactionSurveillanceScheme(SARSS).ContactVMDat:www.vmd.gov.uk.

Storing veterinary medicines and other chemicals

Youneedtoprovideasuitablestoreforveterinarymedicines.Otherhazardoussubstancessuchasdairydetergentsanddisinfectantsshouldalsobestoredsafelyandsecurelywheretheycannotharmtheenvironmentorchildren.

Storesecurelyallmedicinesandapplicationequipmentsuchassyringesandneedles,wherechildrencannotgetatthem.

Checkthatcontainersofpotentiallyhazardoussubstancesarelockedawaywhennotneededforimmediateuse,inanarea:

■ safefromaccidentaldamageandchildren,verminorbirds; ■ thatisfireprooffor30minutes; ■ abletocontainspillages,withprotecteddrainsifthey

mightbepolluted.

Keeprecordsofwhatisinthestoreincaseoffire.

Find out more

Code of practice for using plant protection products (availablefromwww.pesticides.gov.uk)LERAP: Horizontal boom sprayers(www.pesticides.gov.uk)Guidance on storing pesticides for farmers and other professional usersAIS16(rev1)Sheep dipping: Advice for farmers and others involved in dipping sheep AIS41Veterinary medicines: Safe use by farmers and other animal handlersAS31(rev2)Forinformationoncertificatesofcompetenceinsheepdippingandveterinarymedicinesseewww.nptc.org.uk

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21 Manual handling

Manualhandlingincludeslifting,carrying,puttingdown,pushing,pulling,movingorsupportingaloadbyhandorusingotherbodilyforce.Itisnotjusttheweightoftheloadthatcancauseinjury:thesize,shape,availablegrip,thewayyoucarrytheload,whereyouhavetocarryit,andhowoftenyouhavetodothetaskallplayapart.

Manyworkersintheindustrysufferfromavarietyof‘musculoskeletaldisorders’(MSDs)asaresultofpoormanualhandlingtechniques,orthroughothertaskswhichinvolverepetitivemovements,excessiveforce,unusualpostures,orfrombadlyorganisedworkingpractices.

Thesecanincludemuscleinjuries,sprainsorstrains,backpain,sciatica,hernias,arthritis,orswellingofthehand,wrist,forearm,elbowandshoulder(‘work-relatedupperlimbdisorders’orWRULDs).Peoplemaynotfullyrecoverfromthese,affectingtheirabilitytocarryoutanymanualworkinthefuture.So,planyourhandlingtasksproperly.

Can you avoid manual handling?

Considerwhetheryouhavetomovetheloadmanuallyatall.Ifpossible,eliminatemanualhandlingcompletely,forexample:

■ fullymechanisethetask.Amovetobigbales,orfertiliserinbigbags,eliminatesmanualhandlingbecausetheyaresolargeorheavytheycanonlybemovedbymachine;

■ introducefeed-handlingsystemsincorporatingbulkstoragebinsanddistributionpipestoeliminatethehandlingoffeedcompounds;

■ useothermechanisedsystemstoeliminatethefilling,carryingandtippingofsmallfeedbagsorsacks.

Remember,theRegulationsdonotsetspecificrequirementssuchasweightlimits.Considerthetask,theload,individualcapability,andtheworkingconditions.

Assess the risks

Ifyoucannotavoidmanualhandling,lookattherisksfromyourhandlingoperations.Youdonothavetolookateverytaskindetail–iftheloadislessthanabout25kg,easilygrippedclosetothebody,andtheworkingconditionsaregood(egindoors,withalevelfloorandplentyofspace)theriskofinjurytomostpeoplewillbelow.Instead,focusonthetaskswiththegreatestrisks.

UseHSE’sManual handling assessment charts (MAC tool) tohelpyouidentifyproblemareas,egloadsthat:

■ weighover25kgoraredifficulttogriporhandlebecauseoftheirsizeorshape;

■ needfrequentliftingorlowering,orcarryingoverlongdistances;

■ aredifficulttomanoeuvre,and/orinvolvetwistingorliftingaboveshoulderheightorfromthefloor.

Reduce the risk of injury

Ifyoucannoteliminatetheriskcompletely,lookathowyoucanreduceittoanacceptablelevel,forexample:

■ usemechanicalassistanceand/orliftingaids.Materialshandlers,forklifttrucks,sacktrucks,trolleysforbales,workshopcranes,drumcradlesetccanallreducetheamountofeffortinvolvedandreducetheriskofinjury.Workersarelikelytoneedtrainingtousethesedevicessafely;

■ changetosmaller,lighterunitsizes,egusefeedblocksorfeedbagsweighing25kgorlesstomakeliftingandcarryingeasier;

■ reduceliftingorcarryingdistancesbyprovidingmechanicalorotherwaystomovegoods;

■ findimprovedwaysofhandling.

Foranimals,useproperlydesignedcattleracesandcrushesorsheepturnovercratestoreducetherisksduringanimalhandlingandhusbandrytasks(seesection16‘Handlinglivestock’formoreinformation).

Forcontainers:

■ sharpedges,wrapaprotectivelayeraroundthesharpedge; ■ liquidorflowingcontents,usesmallercontainerswhich

canbefilledsothatthecontentsdonotmovearound,changingtheweightdistribution.

The law

TheManualHandlingOperationsRegulations1992(asamended)requireyoutoavoidundertakinghazardousmanualhandlingwherereasonablypracticable,toassesstherisksfromanyhazardousmanualhandlingwhereitcannotbeavoided,andtotakeactiontoreducetheserisks.

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Think before lifting/handling

Planthelift.Canhandlingaidsbeused?Whereistheloadgoingtobeplaced?Willhelpbeneededwiththeload?Removeobstructionssuchasdiscardedwrappingmaterials.

Adopt a stable position

Thefeetshouldbeapartwithonelegslightlyforwardtomaintainbalance(alongsidetheload,ifitisontheground).Bepreparedtomoveyourfeetduringthelifttomaintainstabilityandavoidtightclothingorunsuitablefootwear,whichmaymakethisdifficult.

Get a good hold

Wherepossible,theloadshouldbehuggedascloseaspossibletothebody.Thismaybebetterthangrippingittightlywithhandsonly.

Posture is important

Atthestartofthelift,slightbendingoftheback,hipsandkneesispreferabletofullyflexingtheback(stooping)orfullyflexingthehipsandknees(squatting).

Don’t flex the back any further while lifting

Thiscanhappenifthelegsbegintostraightenbeforestartingtoraisetheload.

Keep the load close to the waist

Theloadshouldbekeptclosetothebodyforaslongaspossiblewhilelifting.Keeptheheaviestsideoftheloadnexttothebody.Ifacloseapproachtotheloadisnotpossible,trytoslideittowardsthebodybeforeattemptingtoliftit.

Avoid twisting the back or leaning sideways, especially while your back is bent

Shouldersshouldbekeptlevelandfacinginthesamedirectionasthehips.Turningbymovingthefeetisbetterthantwistingandliftingatthesametime.

Keep your head up when handling

Lookahead,notdownattheload,onceithasbeenheldsecurely.

Move smoothly

Theloadshouldnotbejerkedorsnatchedasthiscanmakeithardertokeepcontrolandcanincreasetheriskofinjury.

Don’t lift or handle more than can be easily managed

Thereisadifferencebetweenwhatpeoplecanliftandwhattheycansafelylift.Ifindoubt,seekadviceorgethelp.

Put down, then adjust

Ifprecisepositioningoftheloadisnescessary,putitdownfirst,thenslideitintothedesiredposition.

Practical tips for safe lifting

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Don’tforgettolookatworkingconditions:

■ Allowpeopletoworkattheirownpacewherepossible. ■ Buildadequaterestsorpausesintothework. ■ Checkthatfloorsandaccessroutesarelevel,welllit,

notslippery,unobstructed,andthereisenoughspacetomovetheload.

■ Workersshouldbewarmbutnottoohotasthismayincreasetheriskofheatstress.

Ifparticularlylargeorawkwardloadscannotbemovedwithmechanicalassistance,youwillneedtoarrangehelp:

■ Discussandplantheworkfirstandgeteveryonetoworktogether,egateamlift.

■ Makesureonepersonisincharge,givingclear,unhurriedinstructions.

■ ProvidePPEforhandsandfeet,andotherprotectiveclothingwherenecessary.

Wheremanualhandlingtasksremainandcannotbeavoidedmakesurethatworkersknowhowtousethecorrectliftingtechniquesandprovidetrainingtoenablethemtodothis.

Remember:

Agoodhandlingtechniqueortraininginsafeliftingisnosubstituteforotherrisk-reductionstepssuchasimprovingthetask,loadorworkingenvironment;orprovidingmechanicalhandlingorliftingaids.Goodtechniquerequiresbothtrainingandpractice.Trainingisavailablefromvarioussources,includingtraininggroups,collegesandorganisationssuchasLantraAwards.

Work-related upper limb disorders Ifworkerssufferfrompain,numbnessortinglinginthehands,achingorshootingpainsupthearms,difficultyingripping,orswellingoverajoint,theymaybesufferingfromaWRULD.Typicalworkthatcausesthesesymptomsincludesworkingongradinglines,oninspectiontables,onrootharvesters,orprocessingpoultry.

Toreducetherisks,considerthesemeasures:

■ Changetheworkareaandprovideadjustableseatsandworktablesattherightheight.

■ Selecttoolswithhandlesandergonomicdesignfeaturestosuitthehand.

■ Allownewworkerstobuilduptheirworkrategradually. ■ Rotatejobstoallowforavarietyofposturesand

activities. ■ Buildshortandfrequentbreaksintothejob. ■ Encourageearlyreportingofsymptomssothataction

canbetaken.

Find out more

Formoreinformationonmanualhandlingvisit:www.hse.gov.uk/msd


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22 Noise and vibration

Noise

Exposuretohighnoiselevelscancausepermanenthearingdamage,oftenwithoutthesuffererbeingawareofituntilitistoolate.Itmayleadtotinnitus(ringingintheears)ordeafness.Noisecanalsobeasafetyhazardatwork,interferingwithcommunicationandmakingwarningshardertohear.

Typical noise levels

Thediagramgivesexamplesofhownoisysomeagriculturalactivitiesare.

What are the noise action and limit values?

Noiseismeasuredindecibels.TheactionlevelsintheNoiseRegulationsaredefinedintermsofdailynoiseexposure(thedailyaverage)andpeaknoiseexposure(suddennoises).

■ Thelowerexposureactionvaluesare80dBfordailyexposureand135dBforpeaknoise.

■ Theupperexposureactionlevelsare85dBfordailyexposureand137dBforpeaknoise.

■ Thelimits,whichmustnotbeexceeded,are87dBfordailyexposureand140dBforpeaknoise.

Remember:

■ Exposuretomanydifferentsourcesofnoise(egtractors,chainsaws,graindryersandguns)hasacumulativeeffectandcancausedamage,eventhoughyoumayonlybeexposedtoasinglesourceforshortperiodsoftime.

■ Intensivelyhousedanimalscancreatenoiselevelsabovetheactionlevels.Pigsatfeedingtimecancreatelevelsof 100dBormore.

Controlling noise

Protectionagainstnoiseisbestachievedbycontrollingitatsource.Getnoiselevelsassessedbyacompetentpersonandkeeparecord.Toreduceexposure:

■ choosequietmachinesorprocesseswhenselectingproductionmethodsornewmachines.Getthesuppliertospecifynoiselevelsattheoperators’positions;

■ enclosenoisymachinesorprocesseswithsound-insulatingpanels,orputtheminseparaterooms.Fitsilencersonexhaustsystems;

■ reducetheneedtoworkinintensiveanimalhousingatfeedingtimesbychangingthefeedingregime,puttingcontrolsetcontheoutsideorinaprotectedarea,ordoingotherjobswhentheanimalsarefedandcontented;

80 dB

87 dB

90 dB

96 dB

100 dB

100 dB

105 dB

108 dB

150 dB

HAND GRINDING OF METAL

UNSILENCED AIR DISCHARGE

CHAINSAW/PIG HOUSE AT FEEDING TIME

CIRCULAR SAW

PETROL-DRIVEN GRASS MOWER

TRACTOR CAB MAXIMUM (HEAVY LOAD)

MODERN TRACTOR Q CAB

ELECTRIC DRILL

SHOTGUN (PEAK NOISE)

NOISE LEVEL (dB)8075 85 90 95 100 105 110 150 160

d

0

The law

TheControlofNoiseatWorkRegulations2005(theNoiseRegulations)aimtoreducetheriskofhearingdamagecausedbyexposuretoloudnoise.Employersarerequiredtoassesstherisks,takeactiontoreducenoiseexposureatcertainactionandlimitvalues,provideworkerswithhearingprotectionwherenoisecannotbereducedbyothermethods,andmakesurethelegallimitsonnoiseexposurearenotexceeded.Theymustprovidetheirworkerswithinformation,instructionandtrainingand,incertaincircumstances,carryouthealthsurveillance.Employeesandtheself-employedalsohavelegaldutiestoprotectthemselvesagainstnoise.

TheControlofVibrationatWorkRegulations2005aimtoprotectworkersfromtheriskstohealthfromexposuretovibration.Theyapplytobothemployersandtheself-employed.

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■ reducethedurationofexposurebyjobrotation,providinganoiserefuge,orarrangingtheworksothatnooneneedstobeinthenoisyarea;

■ provideworkerswithhearingprotectioniftheyaskforitandtheirexposureisbetweenthelowerandupperexposureactionvalues;

■ whereexposuresreach85dBorhigher,marktheseareasas‘hearingprotectionzones’,withsignstoindicatethathearingprotectionmustbeworn,andmakesureeveryoneenteringthesezoneswearshearingprotection;

■ getoperatorsinnoisyareastowearhearingprotection,andtellthemabouttheriskstotheirhearing.Ifanyofyourworkersthinktheirhearingisbeingaffected,suggesttheytakemedicaladviceandconsidertheneedforregularhearingchecksaspartofhealthsurveillance.

Remember:

■ Hearingprotectionshouldbethelastresorttocontrolnoiseexposure.Whetheryouuseearmuffs,plugsorinserts,youwillonlygettheassumedprotectioniftheyareingoodcondition,thecorrectsizeandwornproperly.

■ Tobeeffective,youneedtowearhearingprotectionallthetimeinnoisyplaces.Ifyouleaveitoffforevenshortperiods,theamountofprotectionwillbeseverelylimitedanditwillnotprotectyourhearing.

■ Maintenanceofmachinesandchangesinworkmethodscanaffectnoiselevels.Loosepanelsorunbalancedrotatingpartscancontributetonoiseandvibration.

Vibration

Repeatedorprolongeduseofvibratingtoolssuchaschainsaws,brushcuttersorgrinderscanleadtohand-armvibrationsyndrome(HAVS),agroupofdiseasesincludingvibrationwhitefinger,nerve,muscleorjointdamage.Warningsignsincludetinglingornumbnessinthefingers,fingersturningwhiteincoldordampconditions,followedbythrobbingandflushing.

Whole-bodyvibration(WBV)isthevibrationandshockyoufeelwhenyousitorstandonavehicleormachinetravellingoverroughgroundoralongatrack,orthevibrationwhenyouworknearpowerfulmachinerysuchasmillingmachinery.Shockscanoccur,egwhendrivingoverbumpsorpotholes. Remember:

■ Usetherightmachineforthejob,egchainsawsdesignedforlowvibration,withheatedhandlesorwithanti-vibrationmounts,tractorswithsuspendedaxlesorchassisfortransportwork.

■ Maintainequipmentcorrectly,eganti-vibrationmountingsonchainsaws.

■ Startwithwarmhands,keepthemwarm,andtakeregularbreaks.

■ Makefulluseofthetractorseatpositionandsuspensionadjustments.

■ Travelatanappropriatespeedforthegroundconditions,andchoosetherightcoursetoavoidrutsetc.

■ Maintaintrafficroutesassmoothaspossibleandfreeofbumpsandruts.

■ Avoidhighlevelsofvibrationand/orprolongedexposureforolderworkers,thosewithexistingbackproblems,youngpeopleandpregnantwomen.

■ Seewhetheryoucanrestrictexposurebylimitingtheamountoftimeworkersusevibratingequipment.

Seealsosection11‘Selectingandusingworkequipment’.

ExposuretoWBVatlowlevelsisunlikelyonitsowntocausebackpain,butitcanaggravateexistingbackinjuries,whichmaycausepain.TherearemanycausesofbackpainotherthanWBV,whichmustbeadequatelycontrolled.Themostlikelycauseofbackpainshouldbetackledfirst(seesection21‘Manualhandling’).

Whole-body vibration in agriculture AlS20(rev2)Hand-arm vibration at work: A brief guide INDG175(rev3)Control back-pain risks from whole-body vibration: Advice for employersINDG242(rev1)Noise at work: A brief guide to controlling the risks INDG362(rev2)Noise: Don’t lose your hearing (pocket card) INDG363(rev2)Drive away bad backs: Advice for mobile machine operators and driversINDG404

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23 Personal protective equipmentPPEincludescoveralls,eyeprotection,footwear,gloves,

safetyhelmetsandwetweatherclothing.HearingprotectionandRPEprovidedformostworksituationsarenotcoveredbytheseRegulationsbecauseotherregulationsapplytothem.However,theseitemsneedtobecompatiblewithanyotherPPEprovidedandarebrieflycoveredinthissection.Yourhealthandsafetyandthatofworkerscandependonit.

WhenselectingPPE,remember:

■ Youneedtoconsiderandintroduceothermeansofprotectionfirst.ProvidePPEasalastresortaftertakingallotherreasonablypracticablemeasures.

■ Engineeringcontrolsprovidelong-termsolutionsandareoftencheaperthanproviding,replacing,maintainingandstoringPPE.

■ Controlsatsourceprotectallworkersinthearea,whilePPEonlyprotectsthewearer.

■ Itisessentialtoinvolvetheworkersthemselvesintheselectionprocess,astheyoftenhavedetailedknowledgeofthewaythingswork,oraredone,whichcanhelpyou.

Also,makesurethatPPE:

■ iseffectiveandgivesadequateprotectionagainstthehazardsintheworkplace,egforhandlingacidsdotheglovesresistacidpenetration?

■ isreadilyavailableforuse; ■ issuitableandmatchesthewearer,thetaskandthe

workingenvironment,sothatitdoesnotgetinthewayofthejobbeingdoneorcauseanydiscomfort;

■ doesnotintroduceanyadditionalrisks,eglimitvisibilityorcauseheatstress;

■ iscompatiblewithanyotherPPEthathastobeworn;egsafetyspectaclesmayinterferewiththefitofrespirators;

■ ischeckedbeforeuseandcleaned,maintainedandstoredinaccordancewiththemanufacturer’sinstructions.

Sotheycanusetheequipmenteffectively,workersshouldbegivensuitableinformation,instructionandtraining.

RememberthatemployersarenotpermittedtochargetheiremployeesforPPEprovidedforuseonlyatwork.

Types of PPE you can use Eyes Hazards:chemicalormetalsplash,dust,projectiles,gasandvapour,radiation Options:safetyspectacles,goggles,faceshields,visors Head Hazards:impactfromfallingorflyingobjects,riskofheadbumping,hairentanglementinmachinery,chemicaldripsorsplash,climateortemperature Options:arangeofheadprotectionincludinghardhats,safetyhelmetsandbumpcaps Ears Hazards:noise–acombinationofsoundlevelanddurationofexposure,veryhigh-levelsoundsareahazardevenwithshortduration Options:earplugs,earmuffs,semi-insert/canalcaps Hands and arms Hazards: abrasion,temperatureextremes,cutsandpunctures,impact,chemicals,electricshock,vibration,biologicalagentsandprolongedimmersioninwater Options:gloves,gloveswithacuff,gauntletsandsleevingthatcoverspartorallofthearm Feet and legs Hazards:wet,hotandcoldconditions,electrostaticbuild-up,slipping,cutsandpunctures,fallingobjects,heavyloads,metalandchemicalsplash,vehicles Options:safetybootsandshoeswithprotectivetoecaps,andpenetration-resistant,mid-solewellingtonboots,specificfootwear,egchainsawboots Lungs Hazards:dusts,fibres,mists,fumes,micro-organisms(bioaerosols),gases,vapoursandoxygen-deficientatmospheres Options:disposablefilteringfacepiecesorrespirators,half-orfull-facerespirators,air-fedhelmets,breathingapparatus Whole body Hazards:heat,chemicalormetalsplash,sprayfrompressureleaksorsprayguns,contaminateddust,impactorpenetration,excessivewearorentanglementofownclothing Options:conventionalordisposableoveralls,boilersuits,specialistprotectiveclothing,egchemicalsuits,high-visibilityclothing

The law

ThePersonalProtectiveEquipmentatWorkRegulations1992(asamended)requirethatPPEprovidedforuseatworkmustbemadetoanappropriatestandardandmustbeCE-marked.

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Respiratory protective equipment

Workactivitiesmayresultinharmfulsubstancescontaminatingtheairintheformofdusts,fibres,mists,fumes,micro-organisms(bioaerosols),gasesorvapours,forexample:

■ cuttingamaterial,egstone,concreteorwood; ■ handlingadustymaterial,eggrainorpoultrylitter/

manure; ■ usingaliquidcontainingvolatilesolvents,egpaints.

Workersmayalsoneedtoworkinareaswhereoxygenlevelsarelow,egconfinedspacessuchasasiloortank.

RPEisdesignedtoprotectthewearerfromthesehazards.

When can RPE be used?

■ Whenyoumightstillbreatheincontaminatedair,despiteothercontrolsyouhaveinplace,egextractionsystems.

■ Whenthereisshort-termorinfrequentexposureandusingothercontrolsisimpractical.

■ Whileyouareputtingothercontrolsinplace. ■ WhenyouneedtoprovideRPEforsafeexitinan

emergency. ■ WhenyouneedtoprovideRPEforemergencyworkor

whenthereisatemporaryfailureofcontrols. ■ Whenemergencyrescuebytrainedpersonnelis

necessary.

How do I choose the right RPE?

RPEshouldberightforthe:

■ wearer ■ task ■ environment

TohelpyoufindtherightRPE,youcaneither:

■ lookattheCOSHH essentialsguidancesheets(see‘Findoutmore’)toseeifanycoveryourworktaskandrecommendatypeofRPE;

■ lookatHSG53(see‘Findoutmore’)andfollowitsapproachtoselection;

■ usetheonlineRPESelectorTool(see‘Findoutmore’),developedjointlybytheScottishCentreforHealthyWorkingLivesandHSE.

Using your RPE

ToensureyourRPEworks,youshouldmakesure:

■ thechosenRPEfitsandissuitableforthetaskandthewearer;

■ youconductfittestsforeachwearer,foreachpieceoftight-fittingRPEtheyuse;

■ theRPEworkswithotherprotectiveequipmenttheuserwears;

■ thewearersaretrainedtouseitandaresupervised; ■ theRPEischeckedbeforeuseandcleaned,maintainedand

storedinaccordancewiththemanufacturer’sinstructions.

Respirators relying on filtration for their efficiency should never be used to provide protection in oxygen-deficient atmospheres.

Seesection13‘Workplacesafetyandwelfare’foradviceonworkinconfinedspaces.RPEwithanindependentairsupply,egbreathingapparatus,willbenecessaryforsuchwork.

Emergency equipment

Carefulselection,maintenanceandregularandrealisticoperatortrainingisneededforequipmentforuseinemergencies,likecompressed-airescapebreathingapparatus,respiratorsandsafetyropesorharnesses.

Find out more

Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended). Guidance on Regulations L25Personal protective equipment (PPE) at work: A brief guideINDG174Respiratoryprotective equipment at work: A practical guide HSG53Noise at work: A brief guide to controlling the risks INDG362(rev2)COSHH essentialsguidancesheetsonlineatwww.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/index.htmRPESelectorToolonlineatwww.healthyworkinglives.com/advice/minimising-workplace-risks/rpe

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Farmwise:YouressentialguidetohealthandsafetyinagricultureAgriculture news

Agriculture news

Aneasywaytostayuptodatewithhealthandsafetynewsinagriculture

Stayuptodatewiththelatesthealthandsafetynewsandinformationonagricultureviaafreeregularemailbulletin,oranRSSfeed.

Agriculture eBulletins

eBulletinsareissuedperiodicallyandprovidebriefinformationonanumberoftopicsorissues,eachlinkingtomoredetailedarticlesonourwebsite.

Registeratwww.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/ebulletins.htm

Agriculture RSS newsfeed

AllthelatestnewsrelatingtoagricultureinHSEisavailablethroughthisnewsfeed.Subscribetoitthroughyourpreferredreader,orfindoutmoreaboutnewsfeedsathttp://news.hse.gov.uk/ category/agriculture/feed

Visit HSE’s agriculture website: www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture

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Further informationForinformationabouthealthandsafetyvisit https://books.hse.gov.ukorhttp://www.hse.gov.uk. YoucanviewHSEguidanceonlineandorderpricedpublicationsfromthewebsite.HSEpricedpublications arealsoavailablefrombookshops.

Toreportinconsistenciesorinaccuraciesinthisguidanceemail:[email protected].

BritishStandardscanbeobtainedinPDForhardcopyformatsfromBSI:http://shop.bsigroup.comorbycontactingBSICustomerServicesforhardcopiesonlyTel:08460869001email:[email protected].

TheStationeryOfficepublicationsareavailablefrom TheStationeryOffice,POBox29,NorwichNR31GN Tel:03332025070Fax:03332025080. E-mail:[email protected]:www.tso.co.uk.Theyarealsoavailablefrombookshops.

StatutoryInstrumentscanbeviewedfreeofchargeat www.legislation.gov.ukwhereyoucanalsosearchfor changestolegislation.

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