Vehicles

• Fatal Accidents
• Tractors
• Hydraulic Systems
• Parking
• Driving on slopes
• All-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
• Vehicle Checks

In this video, Sean talks about and shows the injuries received when a combine harvester fell on him.

In this video, David talks about how the tractor he was driving, ran over him leaving him in a wheelchair.

Fatal Accidents

Farm vehicles are linked to the highest proportion of fatal injuries on farms. People at risk include vehicle or machine operators and others in the vicinity.

Work-related fatalities involving vehicles 2014-2023 (total vehicle fatalities 83)

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Tractors

Tractors are potentially lethal and accidents involving tractors account for a very high proportion of all farm accidents each year. Ensure that:

• the tractor is maintained in good working condition
• a cab or safety frame is fitted
• all controls are in good working order and clearly marked
• brakes are checked regularly and are always in sound working condition
• all relevant guards are in place and that PTO and Hydraulics are functioning correctly
• mirrors, lights and wipers are in working order at all times
• the tractor is always parked safely
• the guidance in the operator's manual is followed and operate the tractor in a safe manner

Tractor maintenance

• A cab or safety frame to OECD standards must be fitted. Look for corrosion on frames of older tractors
• Always ensure that the tractor can be started by the key and that the engine-stop control is effective
• The vehicle controls should all be in working order and clearly marked. A tidy cab allows safe and easy use of the controls
• Ensure that the cab floor is kept clear to allow safe use of brakes and clutch
• Brakes should be in good working order, balanced and interlocked, except when being used for field work
• A properly functioning handbrake is essential
• Ensure that the power take-off (PTO) can be turned on and off correctly, and that the PTO shield is kept in place at all times
• The hitch points of both tractor and trailer must not be worn
• Do not leave the tractor seat while the engine is running
• Maintain all tractor components, including hydraulics, u-guard and hitches

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Hydraulic Systems

• Examine hydraulic pipes before using hydraulic equipment. Repair or replace damaged pipes or couplings before use
• Never place a finger near any leak in a hydraulic hose pipe, no matter how small the leak. This is likely to cause infection and possibly the loss of a limb
• Seek immediate medical assistance if even the smallest amount of oil is forced under the skin

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Parking

• Follow the instructions in the operator's handbook
• Stop the engine and leave the fuel-control stop in the shut-off position
• Apply the hand brake securely
• Park on level ground where possible. Leave the vehicle in gear. If on a slope, use the reverse gear if facing downhill and low forward gear if facing uphill
• Use wheel stops if necessary to prevent a vehicle rolling from its parked position
• Lower hydraulic implements and loaders to the ground
• Remove the key if there is a risk of the vehicle being started by an unauthorised person

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Driving on slopes

If you use tractors or equipment on slopes, carefully assess the risk of overturning Always assess the slope and ground conditions before commencing work Consider if it is worth taking the risk of operating on sloping ground Make sure you are familiar with the slope. Walk the slope before driving on it Use a four-wheel-drive tractor Select the right gear before approaching the slope, to avoid gear change on the slope Use engine braking when you drive down a slope Keep as much weight uphill as possible Turn uphill if working across a slope Avoid quick, sharp turns If a tractor is about to overturn, do not attempt to jump clear. Stay in the cab and hold on to the steering wheel

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Vehicle Checks

Cab/Roll bar in good condition U guard is in place to cover the PTO stub All controls in working order and clearly marked/ understood Brakes in good working order and adequate for the work Handbrake fully operational Mirrors, lights, indicators and wipers functioning, clean and visible All hitching equipment free of defects All visible defects identified and rectified

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Machinery

• Machinery Fatalities
• Precautions
• Guarding
• Lifting Equipment
• Maintenance of Machinery
• Workshop
• Machinery Checks

Machinery Fatalities

Tractors and Machinery are the main cause of farm accidents in Ireland. Elderly farmers and children are at particular risk. Being entangled in PTO’s, crushed under a machine part, caught in a machine mechanism, crushed between vehicles and struck by a machine object are the main causes of deaths with farm machinery.

Keys to prevention are training, good maintenance and safe work practices.

Work-related fatalities involving machinery 2014 -2023 (total machinery fatalities 13)

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Precautions

All power take-off (PTO) drive shafts must be fully guarded by enclosing them along their full length from the tractor to the first bearing on the machine Ensure the O guard is in place on power drive shafts Protect the tractor PTO with a shield or U guard covering the top and both sides of the PTO to prevent persons making contact with it Disengage the PTO before clearing blockages All loads being transported should be stable and well secured Do not carry passengers except when correct seating is provided. Never carry passengers on the tractor linkage or on the drawbar of the trailer The operator handbook where available should be read and understood

• Suitable guards should be fitted to all machinery and equipment
• Always use axle stands or wooden blocks to support raised machinery. Jacks are only for lifting not supporting
• All tools and equipment should be in good working order with suitable safety devices in place
• Hydraulic equipment should be supported with an adequate prop during maintenance or repair (e.g. jack stands)
• The PTO and moving parts should be stopped before attempting to free any machine blockage
• Passengers should not be carried on machines unless designed to do so
• Loads should be stable and well secured
• Operate the equipment from the correct position. Never get into a 'trap zone'
• Loose or torn clothing should not be worn when you are working near machinery. It is best to wear well-fitting overalls with zipped pockets and safety boots with steel toe-caps

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Guarding

Fixed guards must always be kept in place. These prevent entanglement The guard should ensure that no part of your body can reach the danger zone Fixed guarding of older machines should be upgraded in line with the guarding on newer models Do not use a machine unless all guards are in place

Power take-off (PTO) guarding

In this video, Peter talks about and shows the injuries received from an unguarded PTO shaft.

Viewer discretion is advised.

In this video, Brian and Patrick Phelan discuss Brian's PTO accident and his injuries.

In this video, farmer John Goff recalls how he lost his arm in a PTO shaft accident.

Rotating PTO shafts must be totally enclosed by the guard Make sure that the guard matches the shaft both in length and size The PTO should be greased regularly and should rotate on its bearings The chain or rope at both ends of the PTO should be clipped together and then clipped to the tractor or machine to prevent it turning Make sure that drawbar pins or tractor tyres on tight turns do not damage the guard A stand should be provided to support the PTO and guard when not in use

• While all PTO guards should be in place, particular priority should be given to PTOs used in stationary situations (including slurry tankers and grain rollers)

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Lifting Equipment

Lifting equipment should always be checked before use The safe working load (SWL) in tonnes or kilograms must be clearly marked on equipment Never exceed the SWL Any lifting equipment such as pulley blocks and slings must be tested by a competent person before use The equipment should be regularly re-examined by a competent person. Slings should be examined every six months Before undertaking work, always provide support for any lifted object. Axle stands or solid wooden blocks may be used

• It is a legal requirement to have Lifting Equipment examined by a competent person
  • at 12 month intervals if used to lift materials
  • at 6 month intervals if lifting accessories for lifting materials such as slings, hooks or equipment used to lift people
• Fixed lifting equipment must be tested as part of a thorough examination before being used for the first time
• All lifting equipment must be tested after any substantial alteration or repair
• Hydraulically - operated machines used to lift more than 1,000 Kg should be fitted with check valves or some other suitable device to prevent collapse

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Maintenance of machinery

In this video, Sean talks about and shows the injuries received when a combine harvester fell on him (5 minutes, 10 seconds)

Make sure that the machine is in a safe operating condition. All guards and safety devices must be in place and functioning correctly Make sure that machines and trailed equipment are correctly attached to the tractor or vehicle When attaching a machine, take the correct position in order to avoid getting crushed Always stop the machine and the tractor before attempting to carry out maintenance work or to free a blockage Make sure that the machine is adequately supported before working underneath Always turn off the PTO (Power Take Off) and the tractor before attempting to free a blockage or adjust a machine

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Workshop

• Consider having repairs done by a competent mechanic

Doors must be high enough to allow for modern equipment Floors must not become slippery, even when damp Spills should be cleaned up immediately Use only fireproof materials in workshop construction Solid walls are required to support tool boards and shelves, and to anchor benches Good lighting is essential A well-organised workshop reduces injury risk Maintain a minimum temperature of 10 degrees Celsius

• Before use, make sure that the power tool is in a safe operating condition, with all the guards in place. Clamp the piece being worked on with a vice
• With angle grinders, make sure the correct disc is being used and is properly fitted. Never force the disc at the metal, or allow the disc to be trapped in the work piece
• Welding requires skill, so get training
• Air compressors can explode if not maintained
• An inspection by a competent person is required every 24 months
• Always use a high-quality pressure gauge to make sure that a tyre is inflated to the correct pressure
• When inflating a tyre fitted to a split rim, always use a safety cage or an airline extension
• Suitable clothing includes well-fitting overalls with zipped pockets, leather footwear with non- slip soles and steel toe boots

Wear nitrile or neoprene gloves when handling hazardous substances The PPE required will depend on the job, but the principal items are protective visors or goggles, ear defenders for noise, and respiratory protection Good hygiene facilities are essential for any major farm workshop. These include washing, drying and toilet facilities

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Machinery Checks

• All safety guards/ devices fitted
• The PTO "O" guards present
• Hydraulic systems and hoses in good repair
• All machinery defects identified and corrected
• Regular maintenance carried out

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ATVs and Quad Bikes 

Update on the implementation of Regulations governing ATV/Quad Bike Training and Helmet wearing SI 619 OF 2021

The use of ATV/Quad Bikes is becoming more and more common on farms and forests and for many other sectors such as road works, airports, military ATV’s/Quads are essential pieces of equipment. However, there have been a significant number of fatalities involving quads and the potential for a serious injury or fatality when using a quad is high.

The main causes of serious or fatal injury associated with ATV/Quad Bikes are:

• being thrown off during vehicle overturns or after loss of control;
• collisions with structures, trees, poles, other vehicles etc.;
• being trapped/asphyxiated under an overturned machine;
• being drowned under a quad bike overturned in a water course;
• pedestrians being struck or run over by an ATV/Quad Bikes.

Contributory factors/underlying causes of fatalities and injury with ATV/Quad Bikes can include:

• lack of formal operator training and/or experience;
• incorrect/lack of appropriate head protection;
• excessive speed;
• age of the operator;
• carrying a passenger on a quad bike;
• unbalanced loads or overloading;
• tipping on a bank, ditch, rut or bump;
• loss of control on a steep slope combined with other factors, e.g. ground or load conditions;
• towing excessive loads with un-braked equipment;
• poor maintenance, e.g. faulty brakes, incorrect tyre pressures, etc.

Regulations governing the safe use of ATV/Quad Bikes in all workplaces (SI 619/2021) come into effect on 20 November 2023. Regulation 619/2021

These regulations have 2 essential requirements of note:

1. Training to be undertaken with a registered training provider to a QQI standard or equivalent
2. Use of helmets to a (generally) prescribed standard

Training

The existing QQI ATV training standard is (5N1752) which is a level 5 minor award with the stated purpose of:

The purpose of this award is to equip the learner with the relevant knowledge, skill and competence to drive and handle an all-terrain vehicle in a safe manner in compliance with relevant legislation.

Only training to this QQI Standard or equivalent is acceptable for compliance with the regulations.

Training providers must be registered with a registration body (such as QQI/Lantra/City & Guilds/ABA or others) who are responsible for confirming that ATV/quad bike training programmes meet the minimum standard set out in the QQI ATV/quad bike standard, 5N1752 Certificate Specification (qqi.ie).

The training courses are developed by training providers to quality specifications (such as the ratio of trainers to attendees, course duration, etc) established by the registration bodies to ensure learning outcomes as required by 5N1752 (NFQ level 5) are met.
The Authority has no role with regard to approval or recognition of training providers or registration bodies.
All queries with regard to course content and delivery of ATV training shall be directed to the applicable registration body or training provider.

Persons who undertake ATV/Quad Bike training must ensure that;

• the training provider used, is a registered training provider, registered with a registration body such as QQI, ABA, Lantra, City & Guilds or others such registered training bodies, and
• on successful completion of the training course, they receive a certificate of training that confirms that the course was successfully completed to the QQI standard 5N1752 or equivalent, and
• they retain and show when requested their training certificate as proof of training.

Examples of some of the tasks to be completed by a trainee in the QQI Standard include:

• Carries out safety assessment (hazards, risks and controls) associated with all terrain vehicle operations.
• Carries out routine pre starting checks specified in the operators manual.
• Identifies functions and setting of controls.
• Carries out correct starting procedure.
• Assesses terrain and remains aware of surroundings at all times.
• Rides at a safe and suitable speed.
• Manoeuvres the vehicle through a confined course with variable terrain and ground conditions using appropriate controls and showing correct body movement.
• Uses a safe hitching procedure to attach a trailer or trailed implement to vehicle.
• Manoeuvres the vehicle and trailer through a confined course with variable terrain and ground conditions using appropriate controls and showing correct body movement.
• Uses smooth take off and speed control.

Helmets

Helmet types suitable for ATV/Quad Bike operations, depending on the circumstances of use, are motorcycle helmets and specialist ATV helmets. All helmets should have a chinstrap and be capable of being used with suitable eye protection. The type of helmet chosen must be based on an assessment of the circumstances in which the ATV/Quad Bike will be used, e.g. the types of surface travelled over and anticipated speeds. The harder the surface and higher the speed the greater the degree of protection needed. Standard industrial hard hats, forestry helmets and cyclist helmets are not acceptable for any ATV/Quad Bike operations. Importantly, ‘All quad bike helmets should fit comfortably and securely, to ensure full protection.’

• Consider the risk of overturning on sloping ground
• Professional training is essential before using an ATV
• Never carry a passenger on an ATV
• Wear personal protective equipment (PPE), including a helmet

 ATVs require on-going maintenance as specified by the manufacturer. Check, in particular, that:

• tyre pressures are correct
• brakes give a straight stop
• the throttle operates smoothly in all steering positions
• Many ATVs have no differential, so the vehicle speed and placing of your body weight is crucial for safe cornering.
• An Information Sheet on the safe use of ATVs in agriculture and forestry is available

Further info:

For information on the Measure go to gov.ie - National Farm Safety Measure 2023

Managing Farm Safety and Health Video Series - ATV Safety