Farmer Writes: the dangers of slurry - time to wise up

Over the last few weeks there have been several reported near misses involving fumes from slurry mixing, including one here in Fermanagh.

That incident involved an older man who went into a cattle house while a contractor was mixing slurry.

As far as I can gather, they were mixing the slurry with cattle still in the house. It appears that some of the cattle collapsed and the farmer went in to try and save them, only to end up collapsing himself.

He was fortunate that he was rescued and had no long-term damage, although two animals were lost in the incident. It’s hard to believe that after all the incidents with slurry, too many farmers are still prepared to risk their lives.

Events

A few years ago, we were one of a number of farms to host some farm safety events. The events went through a lot of the risks with mixing slurry.

They were free to all farmers and any members of the family, but I was shocked that so few people attended them. On several occasions they had to be cancelled because the numbers were so small.

It is sad that we farmers think so little about our own personal safety, that we can’t spend an hour or two attending a farm safety event.

But maybe it’s not that simple. I know how busy farmers are. The margins have gotten so small that a lot of farmers are working very long hours and often on their own. We are all rushing around and taking chances, just to save a few minutes here and there.

However, after all the accidents involving slurry, you wonder how many more people have to die before we see some kind of sense.

Chance

Over thirty-five years ago my father built his first slatted tank, and for years took a chance when mixing the slurry.

He very rarely removed the cattle, although to be fair, he did most of the mixing during the summer when the cattle were outside.

But one year, while he was mixing the slurry with the cattle still inside, there was an incident. Three cattle collapsed at the top end of the house. My father had the good sense to stop the mixer, but the bad sense to rush up the house to try and save the cattle.

I suppose it is the natural instinct in us farmers, that we try and save our livestock at all cost. The cattle did survive but I often think back and wonder what would have happened if he had collapsed.

Would I have gone in to try and save him? Would that have been the end of us both?

You might think it a bit morbid thinking of these things, but one mouthful of this toxic gas would be enough to knock out a healthy man. We could both have quite easily died there and then.

Would that have been the end of our farm? What would my mother and wife have done?

Challenged

A few years ago, I was at a neighbour’s farm and I couldn’t see anyone around. I wandered around the yard as I could hear a tractor going. I discovered it and a tanker left running, sucking slurry from an underground tank.

I still couldn’t see anyone, so I started to call out. I got an answer from inside the tank. The farmer and his workman were busy scraping the slurry towards the pipe sucking the slurry out.

I was in complete shock. I asked them what they thought they were doing. But they just laughed it off.

Problem

Hopefully that is something no-one would do now. But either way, the recent incidents highlight that there is a problem that needs to be dealt with.

Some think that there should be more farm inspections. I disagree. I think that farmers have enough inspections and it won’t make any difference.

In my opinion, educating farmers is the best option. I know it’s hard to reach all farmers, but that’s no excuse for not trying.

It is up to everyone to speak with farmers or family members and encourage them to think safe.

Slurry is one of the most valuable commodities on our farms but also one of the most lethal. Ultimately, we all need to wise up.

Read more

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