Farm Safety Improves Through 'Incremental Gain', Says Birkett
Improving health and safety is about incremental gain rather than a sudden decision, says Leeston farmer and Federated Farmers health and safety spokesman David Birkett.
The following items are particularly important:
- Guard all moving parts: ensure any potentially dangerous moving mechanical parts are guarded.
- Earth electrical equipment: ensure all electrical equipment is properly earthed and protected from moisture.
- Barriers: fence around storage ponds to keep humans and animals away.
- Non-slip surfaces: because work must sometimes be done inside barriers, consider using non-slip surfaces next to storage ponds to minimise the likelihood of workers falling in.
- Stabilise pontoons: FDE pumps and/or stirring equipment are occasionally installed on a pontoon floating in the storage pond. If a pontoon is used, ensure it is stable and has suitable devices to prevent it from flipping over.
- Emergency escape: install equipment in liquid storage units to aid in the rescue of a person who has fallen in, eg rope, ladder or floating inner tubes.
- Ventilation: avoid over-exposure to hazardous gases potentially present in FDE (eg carbon dioxide, ammonia, hydrogen sulphide, methane, carbon monoxide) by providing good ventilation around all areas of the FDE system.
- Training: provide training for system owners and operators that includes instructions on how to operate and maintain the FDE system safely.
