Warning as slurry spreading starts

THE IFA has issued precautions to farmers as the slurry spreading season gets under way.

IFA’s Health and Safety Executive, William Shortall has urged farmers to take safety precautions when undertaking the spreading of slurry.

Farmers were permitted to start speading on January 13, and are reminded that the main hazards associated with slurry are toxic slurry gas, slurry tank and lagoon openings and the slurry spreader PTO shaft.

‘Spreading slurry is potentially one of the most hazardous activities that a farmer undertakes. The two main risks that present are drowning and gas poisoning. We are urging farmers not to take unnecessary risks and follow simple steps to ensure their own safety and that of their animals,’ said Mr Shortall.

Steps farmers should take include; Make sure all children and pets are kept secure and away from the farmyard; Only agitate on a windy day; Open all shed doors and shutters to allow airflow through the shed being agitated; After starting agitating leave the area for 30 min to allow slurry gases to dissipate and recover agitating points when not in use.

Further information is also available on the Health & Safety Authority website.