A farmworker recently had to be rescued by firefighters after his tractor slid into a slurry pit at a farm in Hessay, near York. The worker called the emergency services using his mobile phone. When the services arrived they discovered the man stuck in the tractor cab with the tractor slowly sinking into the slurry lagoon. He was encouraged to crawl to safety and was uninjured.
Northern Ireland Health and Safety has reported that slurry is one of the four main causes of death and serious injury on Northern Ireland farms.
Many serious incidents have also taken place where farmers have been overcome by gas released from slurry during mixing. Hundreds of animals have been killed in similar circumstances and drowning has also occurred where people, exposed to the fumes, have fallen through openings into tanks. Don’t let it happen on your farm.
Before you start working with slurry take a moment to Stop and Think!
The Stop and Think checklist
Always:
Assume hazardous gas is present during mixing
Keep all unnecessary openings to slurry tanks covered
Follow the safe system of work outlined below to stay out of trouble
Keep children away from the area at all times when working with slurry
Take all animals out of the building before starting to mix slurry
Open all doors and windows
Use outside mixing points first
If slats are removed, cover exposed areas of the tank beside the pump/mixer to stop anything falling in
Start the pump/mixer and then stay out of the building for as long as possible – at least 30 minutes or longer depending on the size of the tank
If you have to go into the building, make sure that another adult who knows what you are doing stays outside and can get help if needed
If you have to re-enter to move the pump, or change the direction of the pump, leave the building as soon as this is done – do not go back in for as long as possible – at least another
30 minutes or longer depending on the size of the tank
Never
Rely on filter type facemasks
Use gas monitors/meters as a substitute for a safe method of working
Rely on meters at the start of mixing
Have naked flames near slurry, as slurry gas mixture is flammable
Stand close to the pump/exhaust of a vacuum tanker when it is being filled
Remember
There is no safe slurry tank. The gases can kill people and animals almost instantly. Prevent accidents and save lives by always following the safe system of work.
