Your Farm Safety
Risk Assessment
IFA National Farm Safety Awareness Day 21st July
MY FARM SAFETY RISK ASSESSME
NT
Name:
Did you know that all farms are
required by law to have an update
Risk Assessment. With this easy to
t
use Farm Safety Risk Assessmen
m
Planner IFA is encouraging all far
families to review safety on their
farms as part of National Farm
Safety Awareness Day.
Together let’s make farms a safer
place to work and live.
Address:
A
Farm
Enterprises:
MY FARM SAFETY PLEDGE
s Day, I pledge to,
On National Farm Safety Awarenes
• Provide a safe place of work.
in this
t on the farm of the hazards identified
• Advise all who work or are presen
ry.
place to protect them from inju
risk assessment and the controls in
• Use safe systems of work.
g, and
tive equipment, information, trainin
• Provide all machine guards, protec
se at risk.
supervision necessary to protect tho
is.
m and this document on a regular bas
• Review health and safety on my far
ertake to stop work
• If a dangerous situation arises, I und
trolled.
immediately, until the hazard is con
B
Take Action,
Assess the Risks
Signed:
Date:
See ifa.ie for more information on Farm Safety
Ireland international rugby star
and farmer Seán O’Brien
becomes a Champion for Change
Seán O’Brien urges everyone to stand together in the battle against farm fatalities.
Rather than ‘telling’ farmers what to do or lecturing
them on farm safety, the FBD Champions for Change
campaign is using digital technology to create a nationwide
community of interest, discussion and support around the
issues involved. The entire theme is one of inclusivity and
everyone is encouraged to take part.
Farmers can access loads of useful and constructive safety
advice, videos and information on the website, Facebook
and Twitter pages.
Sean O’Brien said: “I’m asking everyone to join the
Champions for Change movement and to dedicate
themselves to safety on their farms throughout Ireland. This
campaign isn’t about being told what to do. It’s about us as
farmers taking responsibility to keep our farms safe. All it
takes is one step at a time, doing the necessary jobs, taking
the right precautions and getting safer and safer as you go
along.”
Supported by
C
isk
How to complete a R
walk
Assessment. Take a
day and
around your farm to
minate any
identify the risks, eli
t in place
obvious risks and pu
make
control measures to
ce for
your farm a safer pla
Read the
you and your family.
Practice
Farm Safety Code of
cument to
Risk Assessment do
with the
familiarise yourself
g work
major risks includin
s.
practices on Irish farm
REVENT.
PLAN - PREPARE - P
You are 8 time s
more like ly
to die working on
an Irish farm
t he n in t he ge ne
ral working
population
FBD are delighted to be supporting the IFA National
Farm Safety Awareness Day on the 21st of July
Join the movement - Make a change - Spread the word!
www.championsforchange.ie
@fbdfarmsafety
farm safety champions for change
68% o
f farm
de at hs
childre
of
n involv
e d t ra
ctors a
farm m
nd
achine r
y
4 9% of farm de at hs
involved tractors and
farm machine ry
e
t he handbrak
Always apply
e t he cab
whe n you le av
ATV’S.
TRACTORS, FARM VEHICLES AND
ALWAYS
SUPERVISE
CHILDREN ON
THE FARM
Tractor, Vehicle and ATV
Risk Assessment
1
List all vehicles used on the farm
KEEP PTO
COVERED
3
I will ensure that:
CHILDREN AND OLDER FARMER
SAFETY ASSESSMENT
I will ensure that:
Children
A safe and secure play area for child
ren is
provided away from all work activities
or children
are supervised.
.
The Cab/Roll bar is in good condition
PTO
the
r
cove
The U guard is in place to
stub
are
All controls are in working order and
clearly marked/ understood.
r
The brakes are in good working orde
en.
rtak
unde
k
wor
and adequate for the
The handbrake is fully operational.
MACHINERY
List all vehicles used on the farm
The vehicle is only operated by
competent drivers.
Where the operator handbook is
available it will be consulted.
The vehicle is always started and
operated from the correct position.
the
Passengers are only carried where
cle
vehi
the
gned
desi
has
manufacturer
for this purpose.
cle,
When starting and operating any vehi
ed.
nger
enda
be
bystanders will not
Travel speed will be suitable to the
ground or road conditions.
E
When a vehicle is stopped, the SAF
parking procedure is used.
A high level of supervision will be in
place when
children are present on the farm.
Children under 14 are not allowed oper
ate
tractors or self-propelled machine
s.
Children over 14 will only be allowed
to drive a
tractor or self propelled vehicle in line
with legal
requirements.
Particular dangers to children on my
farm are
identified and controlled (e.g. tractor
operation,
slurry pits, falls).
Contractors will be made aware of
the possible
presence of children.
Older Farm Household Members
All safety guards/ devices
are fitted
The PTO “O” guards are
present.
The hydraulic systems and
hoses are in good repair.
All machinery defects are
identified (list)
Regular maintenance is
carried out
Bulls are ringed.
ied. (
stock facilities are identif
All visible defects in live
et).
List defects on control she
5
Safety Practices
the
has a chain attached to
When outdoors the bull
ring
ck, especially a bull, are
Persons handling livesto
competent and fit.
h
ding if a bull is running wit
A vehicle is used when her
the herd.
yed
sence of a bull are displa
Signs warning of the pre
beside public places.
culled
Aggressive animals are
controls identified.
List additional livestock
2
My Farm Safety Action List
BEING CRUSHED IS
THE MOST COMMON
CAUSE OF ACCIDENTS
WITH TRACTORS AND
FARM MACHINERY
Farmyard, Buildings an
d Slurry Risk
Assessment
rols identified
Additional livestock cont
List
My Farm Safety Action
My Farm Safety Action List
I will ensure that:
Farmyard and surfaces
are tidy
Buildings are tidy and in
good
and in good repair.
repair
Safety rails are in place
where there is the possib
ility of a fall.
A safe means of access
to heights is used (e.g. sta
irs , work
platform, ladder)
Roof work is only under
taken with a proper roo
f ladder/
crawling boards.
Swinging doors can be sec
ured.
Suitable fire safety equipm
ent is available
Exits onto public roads
are safe.
All visible defects in the
farmyard and buildings
are identified.
(List defects on control
sheet).
Open slurry/water tanks
are fenced to a height of
1.9meters
and secured (including
gates) to prevent access
.
Access points to slatted
tanks are kept secured.
During slurry agitation
open access points are
guarded.
Evacuation and ventilation
takes place before agitat
ion of slurry.
Manhole covers are rep
laced.
List additional farmyard
and
buildings controls identif
ied.
List additional farmyard
and buildings controls id
entified
My Farm Safety Action
List
HEALTH OF FARMERS
WATCH OUT
FOR OVERHEAD
POWER LINES
WHEN OPERATING
MACHINERY
6
ELECTRICITY
ment
Electricity Safety Assess
I will ensure that:
d by a
inspected and maintaine
Electrical installations are
competent electrician.
of standard where
damp proof and dust pro
of
are
s
ing
fitt
l
ica
ctr
Ele
needed (I.P. Rated).
correct rating.
by an MCB or fuse of the
All circuits are protected
ion.
total electrical installat
A main fuse protects the
0V circuits and
by a 30mA RCD on 220/38
All sockets are protected
checked monthly.
lding work.
equipment is used in bui
110V portable electrical
ket.
plied by a 32A welding soc
An electrical welder is sup
farmyard.
vided in each area of the
Adequate lighting is pro
identified. (List
ctrical installations are
All visible defects in ele
defects on control sheet).
Electricty Networks
made aware of
rs coming on the farm are
Contractors and supplie
installations.
overhead power lines and
rhead power lines
ds only travel under ove
High machinery and loa
clearance
where there is adequate
l controls identified
List additional electrica
List
My Farm Safety Action
WORKSHOP / REPAIRS / WORKING
WITH
TIMBER
Portable and Fixed
Equipment Safety
Assessment
List the portable and fixed equipme
nt used
on the farm.
(Examples: Portable equipment – angl
e grinder,
welder, power washer; Fixed equip
ment - air
compressor, hoist)
I will ensure that:
electrical
List all the areas where
led
circuits are instal .
200 pe ople have
lost their lives on
farms since 2005
7
ALWAYS WEAR
PROTECTIVE
CLOTHING WHEN
OPERATING A
CHAINSAW
The equipment is only
operated by competent
operators.
All safety devices are in place
and are in working order.
Correct Personal Protective
Equipment as specified by the
manufacturer is used.
Manufacturer’s operation
manuals are available and
used.
All visible defects in portable
and fixed equipment are
identified. (List defects on
control sheet).
Proper PPE is available
and put on before using
equipment or chainsaws.
Chainsaws
The chainsaw is fitted with a
full range of safety devices
including a chain brake and a
safety chain.
Timber to be cut is
adequately secured and
supported.
Tree felling is carried out by a
competent person.
List additional portable & fixed equ
ipment controls
identified
My Farm Safety Action List
CHEMICAL SAFETY ASSESSMENT
Chemical Safety Assessment
List all the areas on the farm where
ry products)
chemicals are used (include veterina
I will ensure that:
es.
All chemicals are kept in locked stor
labelled.
All chemical containers are correctly
a
Chemicals are handled and used by
competent person.
rstood.
All hazard warnings are read and unde
All controls recommended by the
manufacturer are followed.
sprayer,
All equipment using chemicals (e.g.
safe
in
d
taine
main
are
)
hine
mac
ing
milk
working order.
Protective clothing and equipment
r is used.
recommended by the manufacture
after use.
All PPE is cleaned and stored safely
eating,
Washing of skin takes place before
.
king
smo
or
drinking
rs takes
Safe disposal of all chemical containe
place.
off
Water available to wash chemicals
immediately
icals.
Children are told the dangers of chem
Keep records of chemicals in stock.
rdous
Know emergency action for very haza
chemicals.
List additional identified controls
My Farm Safety Action List
Health Risk Assessment
8
LOCK AWAY ALL
CHEMICALS
List Farmyards & Farm
Buildings
Slurry/water
VENTILATE
AND
EVACUATE
BEFORE YOU
AGITATE
SLURRY –
GASES CAN
KILL
Additional machinery controls used
List additional controls
FARMYARD AND BUILD
INGS
33% of farm
injurie s and 13% of
farm de at hs involve
live stock
Fencing is adequate.
unloading of animals are
Facilities for loading and
adequate.
calving cows.
A calving gate is used for
l is
ect contact with the bul
A pen which prevents dir
is housed.
provided when the bull
Machinery is only operated
by competent operators.
The operator handbook
where available is read
and understood
Hydraulic equipment
is supported with an
adequate prop during
maintenance or repair
(e.g. jack stands).
The PTO and moving
parts are stopped before
attempting to free any
machine blockage
Passengers are not
carried on machines
unless designed to do so.
Loads are stable and well
secured.
My Farm Safety Action List
ent
Livestock Risk Assessm
(Bulls, Cows, Rams
List the types of Livestock m.
Far
etc.) on the
I will ensure that:
er
and skulling gates and oth
Pens, fencing, crush(s)
l
ma
ani
e
e and allow saf
handling facilities are saf
handling.
sed
Gates can be securely clo
Safety Practices
Additional vehicle controls used.
Particular dangers to older farmers
are
identified, including working with mac
hinery,
livestock and accessing heights.
Particular care will be taken when
older farmers
are present when work is in progress
.
Make sure that the older farmer is
physically fit
to carry out the work at hand.
List all vehicles used on the farm
I will ensure that:
Safety Practices
The dangers to children on the farm
are
explained to all children and young
persons.
LIVESTOCK
Machinery Risk
Assessment
The mirrors, lights, indicators and
wipers are all functioning, clean and
visible.
cts.
All hitching equipment is free of defe
All visible defects in the vehicle are
on
identified and rectified. (list defects
control sheet)
4
PLAN ESCAPE
ROUTES WHEN
HANDLING
CATTLE
List areas/activities where risk is high
I will ensure that:
Preventing Back Injury
Mechanical aids are used to reduce
manual handling.
Where possible the size and weight
of the load is reduced before manual
handling.
All loads are assessed before lifting.
We ar Pe rson
al
Prot e ctive E
quipme nt
9
1 IN 10 FARMERS SUFFER
MUSCULO-SKELETAL
INJURY ANNUALLY, WITH
80% UNABLE TO WORK
FOR 3 OR MORE DAYS.
Dust and Spores
Generation of dust and spores is kept
to a minimum.
Adequate ventilation is provided.
A suitable dust respirator (P2 or P3)
is used where dust or spore levels
cannot be fully controlled.
Preventing Infection
Hand washing facilities with soap
and towels are available in the
farmyard.
Suitable gloves are worn when
handling potentially infectious
material
Cuts and abrasions are covered with
a water proof plaster.
A vermin control programme is in
place.
the risk is high)
Noise. (List areas/activities where
Ways of reducing noise exposure
have been considered.
Suitable hearing protection is always
worn where there is exposure to high
noise levels.
Stress/Personal Health
Thank you for
taking the time
to complete yo
ur
Farm Safety R
isk
Assessment
Safe Farming
,
A regular health check by a health
professional is undertaken.
Protection from the sun is used.
Confidential advice is sought for
health related conditions
A First Aid Box is available on the
farm
Additional identified controls.
My Farm Safety Action List