ƋŝŵĞ ŶŽƚ ĨĂƌŵĞƌƐ͛ ŽŶůLJ ƐĂĨĞƚLJ ĐŽŶĐĞƌŶ
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it comes to safety, most farmers will probably automatically think ‘crime’, but ensuring the safety of one’s property, staff and family entails far more than farm security.
So says Andries Wiese, head of the Agri Division at Hollard Insurance.
Listed is the insurer’s advice to today’s farmers operating in modern times.
Common hazards
The Better Health Channel, with the Victoria State government and National Centre for Farmer Health in Australia, has put together a list of common hazards on farms that is equally applicable to SA. These dangers may seem obvious, but farmers do not necessarily think of them as they move around their properties and allow their children and workers to move around uninhibited. t Animals – injuries inflicted by animals on workers can include bites, kicks, crushing, ramming and trampling. t Chemicals – pesticides and herbicides can cause injuries such as burns, respiratory illnesses or poisoning. t Confined spaces – silos, water tanks, milk vats and manure pits may contain unsafe atmospheres, which can cause poisoning or suffocation. t Electricity – dangers include faulty switches, machinery and overhead power lines. t Heights – falls from ladders, rooftops, silos and windmills are a major cause of injury. t Machinery – hazards include tractors without roll-over protection structures, power take-off shafts, chainsaws, augers, motorbikes and machinery with unguarded moving parts. t Noise pollution – noise from livestock, machinery and guns can affect your hearing. t Vehicles – crashes or falls from motorbikes, two-wheelers and quad bikes, tractors, bakkies and horses can result in major injuries. t Water – drowning can occur in as little as 5cm of water. Dams, lakes, ponds, rivers, channels, tanks, drums and creeks are all hazards, and young children are
particularly at risk. t Weather – hazards include sunburn, heatstroke, dehydration and hypothermia.
Protecting your family and staff against these dangers begins with awareness. When last did you take a walk around your farm (or a drive) to identify and assess potential hazards?
Also, make sure everyone on the farm is properly educated on the possible risks. Machinery and tools especially present risks and must be kept in good repair. Dangerous items such as machinery, firearms and chemicals must be stored appropriately.
Find ways to improve safety, such as fitting roll-over protection to tractors and replacing dangerous and dated chemicals with less toxic varieties.
Quad bikes are not all-terrain vehicles and should be used in line with safety recommendations.
Always use appropriate safety equipment, such as machinery guards and shields, helmets, gloves, goggles or breathing apparatus.
The most important thing, however, is to consult with and discuss safety with workers and family members.
Make sure everyone understands and follows these safety procedures, especially children. t t t t t
Many farmers have the luxury of a safety officer, but in most instances the farmer himself is the safety officer.
So, maintaining a safe environment need not be an onerous task if it is planned and executed correctly.
Not doing it is not only negligent, but downright thoughtless.