The Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) is requesting a height limit of 6m to be introduced to prevent operators working in dangerous conditions.

The Health and Safety Authority has been called on to introduce a working height directive which alternatively could limit silage pit height to just twice the height of the retaining walls.

The FCI said an increase in farm size, particularly in the dairy sector, was leading to some farmers requesting the construction of silage pits that were dangerously high.

Danger

Chief executive at FCI Michael Moroney said: “We have received a number of reports from contractors where farmers are requesting/forcing them to work on silage pits that are over 10m (35ft) high.

“Our members are concerned about the safety of their drivers working wheeled loaders at these heights. These are heavy machines, often over 15t in weight, and are now being urged/requested to work at dangerous heights on an unstable surface that is grass silage.”

Along with the increase in dairy herd size, FCI has cited heavy grass covers and the fact that there is a 10%-15% carry over in many pits as causes for concern.

Directive

While waiting on a response from the HSA, the FCI has asked contractors to exercise extreme caution in the construction of high pits of silage. Contractors were advised to explain to farmers the dangers that their actions are having in insisting that their contractor’s construct silage pits to unsafe heights.

The FCI believes a directive from the HSA “will provide the necessary strength to ensure that action will be transferred down to farms”.

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