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SAFETY NEWS

UK & Ireland Farm Safety Week

 

Safe Ag Systems are proud to partake in Farm Safety Week 2023. Running from the 17-21 July 2023, the Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies) initiative is now in its 11th year in the UK and Ireland.

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Focused on the causes and consequences of life-changing or life-ending farm incidents, the hidden dangers of farming and what industry and individuals are doing to address this. This year’s theme, as chosen by Yellow Wellies is "Farm Safety Starts With Me".

The week involves all the key figures from agriculture from five countries working together over five days with five themes and one key message – that farm safety is a lifestyle, not a slogan.

"21 people lost their lives on farms in the year to April 2023, including four members of the public.

"We all need to work harder to change behaviours and attitudes towards safety and to work in the right way and work well.” — Stephanie Berkeley, Farm Safety Foundation manager

Join the conversation on social media! Like, share, Comment and follow along at #farmsafetyweek #farmsafetystartswithme

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5 Tips for Tractor Safety

Almost every farm incorporates tractors in their day-to-day tasks, but did you know tractors cause the most amount of injuries and fatalities each year?

Even with improved designs and modern equipment, we are still seeing tractor-related accidents in the news.

We share five tips for tractor safety and how you can reduce the risks on your farm. 

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Asleep at the wheel – a look at managing fatigue in agriculture

Fatigue is one of the most common hazards on a farm, and most underrated risk for everyone.

It’s more than just feeling a bit tired. Fatigue is that overall feeling of tiredness or lack of energy. It interferes with normal daily activities and functioning, impacts on alertness and slows reaction times.

To be operating at a safe level, research tell us the average person needs AT LEAST 6 hours of sleep a night, ideally 7 – 7.5hrs of uninterrupted, good quality sleep, depending on the individual.

We know peak seasons increase risks when it comes to fatigue. Make sure you assess and manage that risk. Consider increasing the rotation of tasks, especially during overnight shifts. Encourage your workers to get some rest, and keep everyone hydrated as it’s generally pretty hot work.

Visit our blog for further hints and tips on how to manage fatigue in agriculture.

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How is software improving machinery maintenance in the UK?

When it comes to digitising farm records, one of the best places to start is your machinery and farm vehicles. When you purchase that new piece of machinery, you want to ensure it is well maintained, in turn, protecting your investment.

There are plenty of reasons why daily inspections of agricultural machinery is important, it doesn’t just keep your workers safe, it is also part of your obligation as an employer. UK farmers must ensure machinery is in safe operating conditions.

See how software is improving agriculture for the better in our blog.

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Health and Safety Investigation in the UK - what to expect?

You’ve had a serious incident or worse, a fatality on your farm and the HSE inspector arrives to investigate. If there has been a fatality, the police will be involved also. This will seem quite daunting, and it is important you know what you need to do.

HSE in the UK don’t investigate everything that’s reported to them, however if someone has died or sustained a serious injury they will be at your gate soon enough.

Learn what to expect from an inspection in our blog.

 

Disclaimer: Content on this website may be of relevance to users outside of Australia, but content links and examples are specific to the Australia. Please check with your local authority for your country and industry requirements.

Originally published 14 July, 2022.

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Farm Safety Basics and How to manage safety in agriculture

 

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