The dos and don’ts of slurry spreading

Agitation fumes from slurry can be lethal unless you take the necessary precautions, writes

THE ban on spreading slurry is set to lift over the coming weeks, depending on where you are based in the country. Weather permitting, this means slurry agitators and tankers will be springing into action on farms. Against the backdrop of another bad year in 2016 for farm fatalities, now is a good time to brush up on the dos and don’ts when it comes to working safely with slurry.

Gases are produced from the bacterial decomposition of slurry in storage and are then released during slurry agitation when the crust is broken.

The main gases produced include ammonia, carbon dioxide, methane and hydrogen sulphide. The latter is the most deadly, and at high concentrations it has the power to render unconscious and kill humans and animals who happen to be in the vicinity of the agitation point.

Hydrogen sulphide is a clear gas that is slightly heavier than air. Crucially, this means that it does not disperse easily, but stays low to the ground. It is for that reason that the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and Teagasc tell farmers to open all available ventilation points to provide a through draught, especially at floor level.

From a safety point of view it is also a good idea to try to agitate and spread slurry on a windy rather than a calm day.

The gas release is greatest in the first 15-30 minutes of agitating.

The concentrations are particularly high after the winter closed period because the slurry has been stored and has been decomposing over a number of months.

The crust on top acts to trap the gases, but on breaking the crust and mixing the slurry this natural barrier is removed.

Children

According to the HSA, the single most important safety measure when agitating slurry is to remove yourself, all personnel and all livestock from buildings near to the slatted tank before you start.

But that alone isn’t enough; you also need to stay out of any buildings for up to the first hour of agitation.

Obviously, children need to be kept away entirely. It is a good idea to have another person with you when agitating, but if that is not possible then at least inform someone of what you are doing.

That way, should something go wrong the alarm can be raised.

While asphyxiation from slurry gases is a serious danger, it is not the only threat or danger related to slurry spreading on farms.

The fatal farm accident data concerning slurry-related fatalities available from the HSA indicates that 75pc of victims drown in the slurry as opposed to being gassed by fumes.

This data is based on the outcome of a coroner’s inquest, so it is the best information available.

The HSA say drowning is the most common slurry-related farm fatality, with some 30pc of child fatal accidents on farms and 8pc of deaths among elderly farmers being caused by drowning in slurry or water.

It is important to look at the farmyard, the types of slurry storage facilities and the precautions that are in place to prevent any such accident.

When slats or manhole covers are lifted or removed for agitation or when emptying the tanks, ensure that there is adequate temporary protection of such openings.

DROWNING IS THE MOST COMMON SLURRY RELATED FARM FATALITY