Precautions that need to be taken
At silage season, it is of imperative importance that contractors do not fill pits to dangerous, excessive heights. When this happens, operators and other workers are put at risk of sustaining serious injury.
In order to ensure the safety of everyone involved, there are some very important tips that contracts should follow.
Beforehand, contractors and customers should plan safe operating procedures, with a particular eye on pit heights before harvesting gets underway. These guidelines should be based on the specific farm in question.
In order to ensure the safety of vehicle operators and avoid the collapse of retaining walls, the silage being brought to the pit should not exceed double the height of the retaining walls at the site. In addition to this, the pit should not slope at more than 45 degrees to the retaining walls.
The width across a finished pit should be at least three times the width of the loader. This should include dual wheels if they are fitted.
Machine operators must be mindful of the stability of their rolling equipment to prevent machines from losing control or even overturning.
If it gets to a point where more grass must be harvested even though the pit has been filled to a safe level, the contractor should liaise with the farmer and consider the option of baling silage.
There is also a responsibility for the farmers themselves. They must provide a safe working environment.
Silage pits should also not be constructed under or near ESB power lines.
The minimum distance to keep from low voltage is 0.5 to three metres, and the distance varies powerlines up to 400KV, for which the minimum distance is 35 metres.
Anyone who requires further information on this should visit the Association of Farm Contractors in Ireland website, www.farmcontractors.ie.
However, the ESB should always be contacted and asked for advice for any structure within 35 metres of a centre line in an overhead power line.
The silage storage capacity on each farm should be jointly considered by contractors and farmers to ensure that facilities match current and future stocking levels.