Three times I’ve nearly been killed in my farming career.
The first was when attaching a heavy implement – I was standing in-between the tractor and cultivator, ready to be helpful, when the tractor driver’s foot slipped off the clutch as he got close.
He found it just in time.
Then, when handling 20 steers in an unfamiliar barn, I was knocked over and trampled in a gateway. Luckily the feet didn’t hit a vital part.
Lastly, the hinge on the top auger section of our mobile drier snapped and fell as I was winding it up. Weighing some 400kg it dropped and swung on the wire straight towards me.
I remember seeing it coming, but there was no time to react. It hit my arm and smashed the back of the tractor cab next to me but nothing worse.
A very close shave.
I remember being very shaken after each time and that feeling has stuck with me even though the last was over 20 years ago.
‘We think it will never happen to us’
Sadly, these are nothing remarkable and I am sure many of you will be able to recount similar stories.
All well-known risks on any farm that are often ignored. We know the risks we take – 75% of quad bike deaths would be prevented by wearing a helmet and yet most don’t.
We think it will never happen to us. But of course, when it does, it’s a devastating personal tragedy with consequences that go on and on.
What really changed it for me was when I started employing people and one of them got hurt.
Nothing terrible, but I don’t want to have to make that call again, and nor should anyone.
“We think it will never happen to us. But of course, when it does, it’s a devastating personal tragedy with consequences that go on and on.”
NFU Deputy President David Exwood
Forget the statistics and the risk management, just for second.
Every serious injury and death means lives changed forever. Partners, parents, sons and daughters are the real victims. Think of them.
‘This has to be a reset moment’
Too often, farm safety has been about the threat of prosecution by the HSE or an unwelcome visit by an inspector. The recent decision to stop farm visits surprised everyone and has left everyone wondering, what now?
Tom Heap covered the topic well on Countryfile this weekend with an insightful examination of the history, value and purpose of the HSE and agriculture.
I do want the new government to re-examine the decision and see if it thinks this is the right way forward.
Whatever the outcome, we will advocate for those in power to not walk away from their responsibilities.
Equally, we as an industry must look at what we can do, how we can make a difference.
The rate of accidents in farming hasn’t improved in 40 years – this has to be reset moment.
It can sometimes seem to be an impossible problem, but for Farm Safety Week I would like everyone to think of one thing they can do to make their farm safer, big or small, and share it with others and challenge some one else to do the same.
If we all do one thing, we can make a difference.
David shares one measure he takes to make his farm safer.
Share one action you take to make your farm safer
Get involved in Yellow Wellies’ Farm Safety Week by sharing one thing you do on your farm to stay safe.
This can be a short video or post with images – the aim is to share what you do and encourage others to do the same, so everyone comes home safely.
Feel free to nominate other farmers at the end of your post asking them to do the same – the more people involved the better.
Tag us in your post and use the hashtags #FarmSafetyWeek and #Take5StayAlive so we can share content.
