The working farm is recognised as a high risk environment and considerable effort has been made in recent months to reduce the catalogue of incidents and fatalities which plague the agricultural sector. Farm safety is a major priority for the industry and is the subject of various campaigns to encourage farmers to think safe and reduce the risks as far as possible.

Visitors to farms also need to be considered and those whose job it is to make deliveries or collections from farms are also at risk. It is important that the farm safety plan takes account of the risks they may be exposed to as they carry out their work. 

The feed delivery is an essential and regular feature of most livestock farms and the responsibility for a safe and efficient delivery should be shared between farmer and supplier. 

Ideally deliveries should be planned for in advance, considering all the risks, and with precautions put in place to secure the safety of all involved either directly (e.g. driver, farm worker,) or indirectly (e.g. children, public) with the delivery whilst it is taking place. If there are particular hazards associated with a delivery it is important that farm staff are on hand to assist and ensure a safe discharge.

The driver’s job is very much easier if the farm is adequately signed from the road with good access and roadways leading to a yard which is big enough for the delivery vehicle to safely turn and manoeuvre into position. The delivery area needs to be clean, non slip and  well away from any livestock. A firm, level surface is essential for safe forklift operation and it must be remembered that tipping Lorries are very unstable on slopes. A fully loaded articulated vehicle when tipped to its maximum can only sustain a slope of 2.5 degrees before it starts to overturn with inevitable damage to the vehicle and potentially to buildings and personnel. 

Where Lorries are to be tipped within a feed store the access and headroom needs to permit the delivery to be effected with minimum risk to property or personnel. It is vital that the tipping area is sited well away from overhead power lines so there is no risk of contact with live cables or flashover which could result in death or injury.

Feed Silos must be in a good state of repair, free from damage and excessive corrosion, and must be securely fixed to the ground to prevent collapse or overturn. They should be clearly marked to ensure that the product is correctly delivered and should be checked to ensure that there is sufficient storage capacity to receive all the feed ordered. Bins should have a fixed delivery/filler pipe to which the driver can connect and make a safe delivery. The connection point should be set between waist and head height and must be easily accessible. 

Where feed is stored on a loft they should be designed so that the driver is not required to enter this area. If it is necessary for him to check the loft before discharge it is essential that it can be accesssed easily by a firmly secured and well constructed ladder, floors must be sound and free from debris and vermin, and the area should have adequate lighting. 

Delivery drivers should attend their vehicle during discharge and ensure that no one comes close to the rear of the vehicle when tipping - All pedestrians, including drivers and farm staff must stand clear of the rear of the trailer when tipping. A sudden movement of material can cause trailer doors to fail and spring open without warning. This can lead to serious injury and death through suffocation or being struck by the tailgate.

Each farmyard will have its own particular hazards and time taken to identify the risks involved in the operation will be very well repaid in providing a safer environment for all involved in the farm business.