Big bale deaths warning
25 February 2000
Big bale deaths warning
AFTER two deaths in Wales within one week, farmers have been urged to take extra care when handling big bales.
A Health and Safety Executive spokesman said the whole farming community should heed the lessons from the tragic accidents.
In the first, Carmarthenshire farmer Meriel Lewis was killed when a square bale crushed her after falling from a trailer. Three days later, six rectangular bales fell on John Jones of Newtown in Powys when he released the straps on a trailer.
Big bales weigh up to 0.5t each. Farmers are encouraged to minimise the danger of people or bales falling from stacks and trailers during loading and unloading. Bales should be moved correctly so stability is maintained. *
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