Winter near miss acts as warning to farmers

Date:

22 December 2010

A Scottish farmer who came close to death is hoping that his story encourages others to take extra care as heavy snow and freezing conditions hit Britain's farms for the second winter running.

Contact with moving machinery or being hit by vehicles are the biggest causes of death and major injury in agriculture, with 13 people killed since 2007. Slips and trips have resulted in 226 major injuries over the same period. These are hazards that can be easily compounded by freezing weather and shorter daylight hours.

Wullie Russell

In January 2010, Wullie Russell, a cattle farmer in the Scottish Borders, was left fighting for his life after an incident in similar conditions.

Wullie had slipped on icy ground while pumping out an underground storage tank in his steading. As he fell, his shirt caught in the partially guarded PTO of his slurry tanker, and he was flung into the air, hitting the back of his head on the draw bar of the tanker as he landed.

He was airlifted to Edinburgh hospital after a supplier found Wullie in his tractor cab. He had dragged himself there after lying unconscious in the snow for an hour and a half.

Wullie's shirt had been ripped from his body so violently that it had flayed the skin from the left side of his chest and arm. He also suffered a ruptured spleen, four broken ribs and damage to his lungs and kidneys. It was seven months before he was able to return to doing any manual work.

Nearly ten months after his accident Wullie has recovered from his injuries, thanks to the support of his family and close friends, but the emotional trauma is still fresh and he is haunted by visions of his shirt catching in the PTO shaft.

"It was a very frightening experience and something that I'll never forget. I still have flashbacks today and fear that I will have for the rest of my life."

"Nine times out of ten people get away with it. But it only takes that tenth time and it's the biggest wake up call. Unless it's happened to you no-one can comprehend what it's like to live knowing that you've come that close to death."

Wullie, along with around 30,000 other farmers, has signed up in support of the Make the Promise initiative, so that others can learn from his experience and make the simple changes needed to avoid similar accidents happening in the future.

Tony Mitchell, an HSE Inspector in the Agriculture and Food Sector said:

"We know that farmers will take risks, but Wullie's story shows what the drastic consequences can be, and also how important it is that lone workers take extra care.

"Farmers and their staff often spread the work between them at this time of year to give each other time off over the festive season. This means more lone working and farmers rushing in often dark and inclement weather to get things finished.

"The dangers from incorrectly guarded power take-offs are well known. Make sure that effective guards are in place, that someone knows where you are, when you're expected back, and how and when you can be contacted."

Notes to editors

1. William Russell's full story can be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/makethepromise/farmersstories/ machinery/william-russell.htm
2. HSE is working closely with the industry to help it reduce the number of work-related deaths and injuries. HSE produces health and safety guidance for farmers, organises free health and safety awareness days, provides information and advice through farm visits, by telephone and at agriculture shows. It also monitors the health and safety performance of the industry and, where necessary, takes enforcement action against employers who endanger lives. For more information visit: www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture
3. Working in agriculture remains one of the most dangerous ways to make a living. It accounts for around one in five work-related deaths every year, although only 1.5 per cent of the working population is employed in the sector.
4. 'Make the promise. Come home safe' is an HSE initiative aimed at reducing the disproportionately high rate of death and injuries in agriculture. It encourages farmers to make a pledge to return home safely for themselves, their families and their livelihoods.
5. So far 30,000 farmers have signed up to the initiative which is supported by the NFU, the National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs and Co-operative Farms, amongst others, who are helping to take the initiative forward.
6. The latest focus of the 'Make the promise' initiative is to encourage organisations involved in farming to support the initiative by becoming a Promise partner. For more information visit www.hse.gov.uk/makethepromise
7. The initiative recently picked up two prizes at the PR Week Awards, considered the 'Oscars' of the PR world.

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