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Five cows that had fallen into a slurry tank in the Castleblaney area of Co Monaghan were successfully rescued on Wednesday, Monaghan Fire and Civil Protection has told the Irish Farmers Journal.
Castleblayney Fire Service assisted at the scene, aiding in the rescue of the animals that had entered the tank of a slatted house on the rural Castleblaney farm.
The rescue
Fire crews monitored concentrations of various gases associated with agitated slurry during the removal of effluent from the tank.
Crew members wore appropriate PPE, using specialised breathing apparatus to assist in the process of removing the effluent.
The rescue process was completed by an outside contractor once the slurry levels were lowered to a safe level.
Public safety
“The public should not attempt to undertake a rescue in confined spaces similar those of a slatted house without appropriate PPE and equipment,” chief fire officer Dermot Brannigan told the Irish Farmers Journal.
“The flooring of slatted houses should be checked regularly for any deterioration in accordance with best farming safety practice.”
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