Page 29 - Farm Safely Handbook 2018

SLURRY
tank is covered it still must have
protective fencing around it.
• When the tank is being emptied,
evacuate all persons and livestock from the area.
Other precautions
Slurry levels must be constantly monitored and you should never allow slurry to rise to within 300mm of the cover or top of the tank.
With flammable gases a constant threat, smoking and naked flames must be completely avoided. You should never enter a slurry tank under any circumstances, as lethal gases can accumulate in partially emptied tanks above the level of the slurry.
Ensure that correct protective clothing is worn at all times when dealing with slurry and attach a harness or lifeline.
There must also be correct signage warning farm workers and visitors of the proximity to slurry tanks and the dangers caused by same.
Slurry agitation
When you need to agitate slurry, ensure you do so from outside, as slurry gases are highly lethal and can kill instantly. It’s best to agitate a slurry tank on a windy day and make sure the area you are agitating is very well ventilated, with those working on the slurry agitation equipment standing upwind from the tank. After agitation has been started, keep all persons clear from the agitation point, particularly children or the elderly. Slurry agitation also presents dangers in terms of machinery and moving parts, so make sure the PTO on the slurry tanker and agitator is well guarded and do not use unless this guard is in place since slurry tankers account for a high proportion of PTO entanglements.
Michael Crosbie Hedge & Tree Service
- Garden Maintenance - Tree & Hedge Services - Agricultural Contractors - Landscape Contractors - NPTC Qualified
Foulksmills, Horetown, Co. Wexford M: 087 934 6575 E: michcros@eircom.net FARM SAFELY HANDBOOK 29