Farm Safety Focus
On this page, we compile the most recent farm safety news bulletins affecting farm workers and labourers in the UK. We will be updating this section, so feel free to check back regularly for any potential updates.
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Take Care When Handling Straw and Hay Bales
According to the HSE 20% of agricultural deaths in 2021/22 were due to people being struck by an object, with hay bales being a leading cause.
Bales can weigh up to 1600Kg so stacks can present a significant danger should they topple.
Only last month - A farmer was trapped under a hay bale weighting half a tonne and had managed to call out to a passing member of the public who then managed to get prompt assistance from the emergency services by dialling 999 using what3words app to get an accurate location.
Never work alone. Ensure that all staff have mobile phones and have worker down apps and what3words downloaded onto them.
Top Tips from HSE Head of Agriculture for safe handling and stacking of bales include:-
- Structure bales so that layers overlap, avoiding tall columns, which can peel off and collapse once they settle.
- Where round bales are stacked in a pyramid, the top bale can force the others out, so use something to chock them to prevent them from rolling.
- Stacking round bales on their flat end can also be unstable, so if you must do it that way stack them in a building to prevent them from collapsing.
- Stacks are made of unstable material than can shift. Check them regularly for signs of movement and be prepared to take them down and re-stack them.
- Think about where you stack bales. Ensure the ground is stable and that you are at least 10m away from power lines to allow for handling equipment to move safely and to prevent electricity arcing to the stacks and shocking people.
- Remember that stacks can be tempting places for children to play. Climbing or tunnelling into stacks can cause them to collapse. Make sure stacks aren’t easy to access – don’t leave ladders leaning up against them.
The 'HSE - Safe working with bales in agriculture' leaflet covers where and how to stack bales, stack maintenance and de-stacking, and transporting bales. It lists other problems associated with bales, such as fire and manual handling. There is also a checklist of steps to take before starting work with bales.
Check out the LKL Safety Note on Safe handling and stacking of bales that summarises the HSE leaflet above.
