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With the closed period for spreading slurry coming to an end at midnight on 31 January, the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) is urging farmers to take extra care when working with slurry.
The mixing of slurry comes with many risks as it produces a dangerous mixture of gases, including methane, carbon monoxide, ammonia, and the extremely poisonous gas, hydrogen sulphide.
Slurry gas is a mixture of gases, including the extremely poisonous gas, hydrogen sulphide. Even a low concentration of hydrogen sulphide can knock out your sense of smell so you won’t even know it’s there. At higher concentrations you will rapidly find it harder to breathe and become confused - and at certain concentrations, just one breath can kill.
Camilla Mackey, Principal Inspector of HSENI’s Agriculture and Food team said, “It is that time of year again when our farmers start to prepare to empty their slurry tanks, some of which have filled up completely over the winter months.
“Before starting any job on the farm, including slurry mixing, take time to stop, think and safely plan the work ahead. Keep children and animals far AWAY during the slurry mixing process, ventilate the area and mix on a windy day when possible. ALWAYS remove livestock from the shed before starting to mix. Stay out of the building for AT LEAST 30 minutes after the mixing starts AND every time you move the pump or change the direction of mixing.
“Sadly in 2021 HSENI recorded one fatality involving slurry gas, however, there are countless near misses every year when farmers, employees or family members are gassed. It is critical that farmers follow the slurry mixing code. Slurry gas kills, it is as simple as that. Farmers are fully aware of this but continue to take chances. If you follow the slurry mixing code there should be no issue.”
The advice to farmers is to follow the slurry mixing code:
Always
keep children away from the area at all times
if possible, mix on a windy day
open all doors
take all animals out of the building before starting to mix slurry
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
any time you have to go into the building try to make sure that another adult knows what you are doing and can get help if necessary
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
Never
rely on filter type facemasks
use gas monitors as a substitute for working safely
have naked flames near slurry, as slurry gas mixture is flammable
stand close to the exhaust of a vacuum tanker when it is being filled
For more information about working safely with slurry or general farming health and safety issues please visit the HSENI Farm Safety website
