What are the sources of threats most common on farms?

According to KRUS data, most accidents in agriculture are caused by falling, grabbing and hitting by moving parts of machinery and equipment. In order to be able to protect workers and other people working on the farm from accidents at work, we need to know where the danger lurks. Workers must be aware of the risks to which they may be exposed at work.

Agriculture is a dangerous industry. People working on a farm come into contact with dangerous machines, vehicles, chemicals, pets, perform work at heights, in an enclosed space. These people are exposed to extreme weather conditions, as well as noise and dust in the workplace. Risks and hazards include not only persons employed on the agricultural holding, but also family members working on the holding and children staying on the holding or visiting the holding.

To ensure the safety of work on the birth farm, we need to know where to look for threats. The most important areas in the field of OSH in agriculture, in which there are threats to the health and life of workers and other people performing agricultural work are:

  • Agricultural vehicles.  The most common causes of serious and fatal injuries in agriculture include agricultural vehicles. They concern vehicles during movement and overturning of vehicles. Safety must be taken into account in the risk assessment: when the vehicle is stationary, while driving, the driver himself and possible passengers, the environment.
  • Machines, safe use.  All machinery and equipment must be suitable for the task at hand, properly maintained, with secured moving parts. All users should undergo appropriate training and have information about the equipment. Many serious accidents on machinery-related farms occur during maintenance. Activities related to the maintenance of the machine, equipment should be performed by qualified personnel.
  • Work at a high level.  Know how to prevent falls when working on roofs, ladders, vehicles, stacks of bales and what equipment should not be used to enter the upper level (forklifts or pallets).
  • Animals.  You should familiarize yourself with the rules for the safe handling of cattle and other livestock.
  • Electricity.  Every year, people are killed or severely electrocuted on farms. Many of them suffer numerous injuries as a result of poorly maintained electrical installations, cables, equipment or improperly performed maintenance work. That is why it is important to properly protect electrical appliances and wires.   
  • Work in a confined space.  Procedures should be developed for work in silos and other confined spaces.
  • Works.  On many farms, construction work is carried out, including the dismantling and construction of buildings (which may contain asbestos), excavations and other minor works in this direction are carried out. Therefore, it is necessary to comply with the provisions of the construction law and the principles of safe execution of construction works.
  • Chemicals.  When working with chemical substances, you should carefully read the Safety Data Sheets and follow the information contained therein, m.in regarding: hazards, personal protective equipment, storage, first aid.

Let us also pay attention to the issues of health problems caused by improper working conditions on the farm. Unfortunately, most often health problems appear only later in the life of farmers. In most cases, they develop imperceptibly and lead to irreversible changes in the body and even to premature death. Therefore, you should be aware of the health risks associated with work, as well as the symptoms of a developing disease.

Here are some tips on a number of important factors that can lead to complications with health:

  • Manual transport work. If manual transport work cannot be avoided, a thorough risk assessment should be carried out and information on acceptable standards for the loads carried and safe techniques for handling the load should be provided.
  • Diseases of the respiratory system. Preventive measures should be taken to reduce workers’ exposure to substances that cause breathing difficulties, asthma or other respiratory diseases.
  • Zoonoses. All livestock naturally possess many diseases, some of which can be transmitted to humans. These diseases are known as zoonotic diseases.
  • Chemicals. Farmers use a wide range of chemical and hazardous substances and appropriate steps should be developed to eliminate and control exposure to substances that pose a risk to human health and life.
  • Pesticides. Where pesticides are used on a farm, procedures should be developed for their safe use, storage and transport.
  • Veterinary drugs. Veterinary drugs may contain dangerous substances.
  • Noise. Hazards must be eliminated, noise levels reduced and personal protective equipment should be used in places where noise cannot be reduced.

Source: https://www.portalbhp.pl/bhp-dla-poczatkujacych/poznaj-zrodla-zagrozen-najczesciej-wystepujace-w-gospodarstwach-rolnych-7853.html

Region Gdański NSZZ „Solidarność”

Projekt otrzymał dofinansowanie z Norwegii poprzez Fundusze Norweskie 2014-2021, w ramach programu „Dialog społeczny – godna praca”.

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