Farmers urged to store feed safely

E059:08 19 November 2008

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is urging farmers and the animal feed industry to reassess risks associated to feed storage following the death of a young Northamptonshire farmer.

The farmer was killed when a tipping trailer, used for storing animal feed, overbalanced and crushed him. The sleepers that were used to support the trailer were rotten and collapsed under the weight of the feed.

HSE Principal Inspector Alan Plom said: "Farmers should look objectively at the practices that they have adopted over many years. Just because they have been doing something in a certain way for a long time does not mean it is safe."

"It is essential that farmers take action where necessary. It is important to recognise the dangers of makeshift equipment.

"Purpose made storage bins should be used for storage of animal feed but if trailers have to be used then they should remain attached to a tractor if the trailer body is raised."

When using unhitched trailers HSE advises the following precautions:

• The trailer should not rely on the hydraulics for continuous support. Suitable props or ram scotches must be used.
• The wheels need to be chocked as trailer parking brakes are often unreliable and on a twin axle trailer may only brake one axle which will be ineffective if weight transfers to the rear.
• Stability - the means to prevent the trailer tipping over backwards should be equally effective as being hitched to a tractor - e.g. by securing the draw-bar to the ground or providing a counter balance, at the hitching point, equivalent to the weight of the tractor normally used on that trailer.
• Whatever the method of storage, it should be inspected regularly for signs of deterioration which could affect the structural integrity. Any defects must be rectified immediately.

HSE have asked the feed industry to bring this incident to the attention of farms where they deliver into similar facilities. Using trailers as feed bins creates a real safety risk that needs to be sensibly managed to prevent harm to farmers, their families and their businesses.

Notes to editors

1. The Inquest was held on 1 October 2008 by Northamptonshire Coroner Anne Pember and recorded a verdict of accidental death.
2. HSE's job is to protect people against risks to health or safety arising out of work activities. It is governed by the HSE Board and the Senior Management Team. The Board comprises nine members who are appointed following consultation with representative groups including employers, employees, local authorities and others. The Senior Management Team has twelve members holding key positions in HSE including its Operational and Policy Directors, Agency Chief Executives and Legal Advisor. HSE is accountable to Parliament via its Minister, Lord McKenzie, at the Department of Work and Pensions.

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