Slurry safety

Working safely with slurry

Over recent years, incidents involving slurry have claimed several lives in Northern Ireland. Many serious incidents have also taken place; the result of farmers being overcome by gas released from slurry during mixing. Hundreds of animals have been killed in similar circumstances.

Drowning has also occurred where people, exposed to the fumes, have fallen through openings into tanks.

Don’t let it happen on your farm.

HSENI are reminding farmers to remain vigilant when mixing slurry and to follow the slurry mixing code. 

The slurry mixing code:
•    open all doors and windows
•    if possible, mix on a windy day
•    keep children away from the area at all times when working with slurry
•    take all animals out of the building before starting to mix 
•    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 – then get out and stay out of the building for as long as possible - at least 30 minutes
•    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
 

For more information and resources visit the HSENI Farm Safety website