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Bales are commonly made from hay, straw or silage and pose a risk while being made or handled on the farm. According to Teagasc, baled silage is now made on over two thirds of all farms in Ireland and accounts for one third of all silage made in the country. It is particularly prevalent as the primary silage-making system on both beef farms and smaller-sized farms. However, it is also widespread as a second silage-making system when harvesting second-cut grass when the silage pits are full from the first cut. It also acts as a simple means of storage for extra fodder on many other farms, which is getting more popular as more and more farmers now operate their own baler.
Storage
Where space permits, best practice is to store all round bales high on their flat ends, but this may not be practical in most cases. When round bales must be stacked, the safest method is to stack them on their curved sides in a pyramid shape. The bales on the outside of the bottom row should be supported by chocks or other supports in order to stop them from moving.
The maximum height of the stack should be no more than three bales high. Where the bales are not very dense and soft, the maximum height of two bales is advised. Stacking of round bales on their ends is not recommended as bales can have a tendency to shift due to the variable density of the material in the bale. Storage of round bales on their ends or sides in a single layer on the ground can be permitted provided that the ground is level.
When deciding on a location to stack the bales, it is important to select an uncluttered storage site from which the bales can be conveniently and safely removed at feeding time. You should also choose a level, smooth and, where possible, hard surface and well-drained area on which to store the bales. Soft or uneven ground can increase the risk of machinery accidents when stacking or removing the bales during the winter feeding period.
All bale stacks should be positioned well away from overhead power lines as bales can act as a play platform for children who may climb on to them and become dangerously close to live power cable lines. Children should not be allowed to play with or on top of bales. All ladders or other means to enable access to the bales should be removed. Children should not be allowed in the farmyard or fields where bales are being moved, handled or transported.
When working with bales, a tractor or other machinery used to lift the bales can easily come into contact with overhead wires. In the event of a tractor coming in contact with the overhead wires, the metal parts of the tractor become live and can cause serious injury or even a fatality.
If your tractor contacts the overhead electricity wires, reverse the tractor out of contact with the wires, if possible. If not, stay in the cab and phone ESB Networks; emergency number on 1850 372 999.
If you must leave the cab, for example if the tyres go on fire, jump clear of the tractor and do not hold on to metal parts while stepping down because this provides a path for the electricity to flow through you into the ground.
Transportation
The removal of round bales from fields and their subsequent transportation must be planned, ensuring a safe system of work is used that considers risks arising from the machinery to be used, the competence of machinery operators, the ground conditions including slopes, the presence of overhead lines, securing the load and the safety of the route to storage.
Use bale-handling equipment, tractors, telehandlers and trailers that are well-designed, safe and well-maintained in order to complete the work safely. Drivers must ensure that their view is not obscured if using bale spikes. Two or more spikes are recommended to prevent rotation or loosening of the bale during transport. When travelling on the public road, bales spikes should be removed, covered or folded back when travelling empty so as not to pose a risk to other road users. If you need to dismount from the tractor or loader which is transporting bales in order to carry out another task, ensure that the handbrake is securely applied, switch off the engine and remove the key.
When moving bales, keep the bale as low as possible, avoid sudden movements and travel slowly to suit the terrain. Front or rear weights may be needed to counterbalance the load and give good control of the steering of the machine. It is essential that all tractors and front end loaders used to move bales are fitted with approved cabs to provide falling objects protection (FOPS) and rollover protection (ROPS).
Trailers and trucks used to transport bales must not be overloaded. Bales should be securely loaded and not overhang the edges of the trailer.
When finished, the load must be secured in place with suitable straps, including double straps at the rear of the load. On the road, avoid high speeds and take account of the effects that the weight of the load has on the effectiveness of the braking and steering and drive accordingly.
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