2016-04-06 |
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Excellent Attendance for Risk Assessment
On Friday 1st April at the UCD Lyons Estate farm 230 Agricultural students attended a risk assessment practical day where they had the opportunity to view six farm safely demonstrations given by experts form ESB Networks, UCD & Teagasc.
These demos were on chain saw operation by Tom Ryan, Teagasc, electrical equipment and wiring by Arthur Byrne and Emer Murphy, Public Safety Dept., ESB Networks, equine safety by Dr. Barbara Murphy, UCD, slurry agitation & spreading by Dr. Bridget Lynch, UCD, tractor with PTO by John McNamara, Teagasc and manual handling by Dr. Aoife Osborne the FBD Lecturer at UCD on Farm Health & Safety.
Pictured L2R: John McNamara, Health & Safety Officer, Teagasc, Emer Murphy, Public Safety Dept., ESB Networks with Dr. Dermot Ruane, Professional Work Experience Co-ordinator at University College Dublin (UCD) and Dr. Aoife Osborne, FBD Lecturer in Health & Farm Safety
Arthur Byrne, Public Safety Manager with ESB Networks was promoting the message that all those using farm machinery near overhead electrical powerlines need to be aware of the dangers involved.
He pointed out that contact with overhead power lines causes serious and even fatal injuries each year. The majority of accidents occur through failure to notice the lines and to take sensible precautions.
These lines pose a particular danger when silage or cereals are being harvested. When loading or stacking bales of hay or straw, Arthur advised the UCD Ag students to take precautions to ensure equipment does not come into contact with power lines.
He also stated that portable grain augers are a particular risk due to their operating height.
Cutting hedges and trees can be a high risk activity and there has unfortunately been one fatality recently. Often people simply do not notice overhead electricity lines.
Lines that run parallel to hedges or along the edge of forests blend into the scenery. If the line heats up as a result of hot weather and/or the electrical current, it may sag and come closer to the ground, thereby increasing the risk of contact.
Operators of hedge cutters need to know the height of power lines and the reach of the machine arm. Avoid working within a 10 m horizontal distance of these lines. Allow enough clearance to avoid contact and remember that electricity can jump gaps.
Finally Arthur reminded the students that they should be aware of stay wires covered by vegetation as these can do substantial damage to both farm machinery and the electric network.
