Farmer tells how he lost hand in horror accident
© Paul Lewis/Swansea Bay UHB A farmer has spoken out about safety in the workplace after losing his hand in a farm accident.
Aneurin Jones, from Pumsaint near Llandeilo, was working on a neighbouring farm picking up silage when a stone went into the engine of a forage harvester.
Mr Jones could not hear the blades of the machine running and he went underneath the machine to inspect the damage.
See also: 10 shortcuts that could kill you at harvest-time
Because he was rushing, he forgot to turn off the engine. But light was fading at the end of the day and he could not see that the blades were still rotating slightly.
He put his left hand into the machine and it was ripped off by the moving blades.
The horrific incident left him lying in a field with his right hand clasped around his stump trying to stem the flow of blood.
Multiple operations
He raised the alarm and was taken by ambulance to Carmarthen’s Glangwili Hospital. But the damage was so severe that he was transferred immediately to Morriston Hospital in Swansea to receive specialist help.
“The care I had was fantastic. The doctor who was on call came in straight away to see what the damage was,” said Mr Jones.
“The machine had taken the hand off but there were bones sticking out.
“The first two operations were just to get it clean ready to close up and make sure there was no infection. The third operation was to put it in a groin flap, and I had that for six weeks.”
Following the operations, he remained in intensive care for two days, but was able to return home with the support of his wife, Heulwen, which allowed him to visit Morriston Hospital several times a week for aftercare.
“After six weeks, he had his hand out of the groin flap and was back on the tractor the next day,” said Mrs Jones.
He underwent two further operations before Christmas, but was told he was not suitable for a prosthetic hand.
Instead, he is being fitted for a protective cast at Morriston’s Artificial Limb and Appliance Centre.
Almost £4,500 raised
The accident happened three years ago, but earlier this month Mr Jones returned to Morriston’s Pembroke Ward to thank the staff who cared for him.
He and Heulwen, along with their one-year-old daughter Angharad, were joined by representatives of Llannon Young Farmers’ Club, which raised over £4,000 for the hospital.
Further donations have come from Dyffryn Cothi Young Farmers Club (£250), Llansawel Rugby Club (£140) and family and friends.
Mr Jones said he was very grateful for the “fantastic care” he received from the hospital staff. He urged farmers to learn from his accident and not take risks.
“I curse myself many a time. Why did I do it? But I can’t turn the clock back. It was an accident,” he said. “It was late at night and I was rushing to get the job finished and silly things happen when you rush.”
Stay safe with ‘heat and haste’ of harvest, farmers told
Arable farmers are being urged to take extra care this summer, with long days and harvest pressures presenting a potentially lethal combination.
Potential incidents involving machinery and implements, grain bins and silos, and electricity power lines are among the hazards that the farming community should be particularly mindful of over the coming months.
“Every day can be dangerous in farming, but harvest and cultivation season bring big risks for many,” said Charles Mayson of cross-compliance and safety experts CXCS.
One potential risk is taking big machinery on small roads with other motorists who can be impatient, raising the spectre of traffic accidents.
“Plan your route, including identifying spots where you can pull over and, if it’s at all possible, avoid commuter and school-run times by making journeys before 8am or after 4pm,” said Mr Mayson.
CXCS also advises farmers to turn off engines and remove keys from the ignition whenever working around or under machinery; wear high-viz clothing in and around yards; have a first aid kit and list of emergency numbers in all vehicles; and keep a mobile phone with you at all times.