Combine fire risk warning

Eve nina normal year when frequent spells of rain interrupt harvest, there are always a few combines that seemingly spontaneously combust when they are working.

This year, with everything tinder dry, a leading insurance company has highlighted the need for farmers to be extra careful in preparing their machinery for the harvest.

NFU Mutual’ sr ural affairs specialist, Tim Price, said the dr y weather currently being experi- enced made it more important than ever to maintain buildings and equipment to reduce the risk of a fire.

“Having evacuation and fire-fighting plans prepared and shared with family members and staff is a must,” he advised

Price highlighted the special risk posed by combines and the need to take special care in fire prevention.

“Cleaning chaff off the combine is the obvious place to start, particularly in these dusty, dr y conditions,” he said.

“Tending to any oil or fuel leaks and replacing worn bearings is another sim- ple way to reduce fire risk.” And if the combine does go on fire, he stressed how important it was to have a good set of fire extinguishers on board and that these had been serviced prior to harvest.

Outwith the harvest field, Price said that if a fire did occur the first priority was to ensure people and livestock were safe. With training and the right sort of fire extinguishers in place, he said it was often pos sible for farmers to tackle a small fire and prevent it turning into a major blaze without putting themselves at risk.