SKIMPING ON REPAIRS SEESRISKSONRISE…
SKIMPING ON REPAIRS SEESRISKSONRISE…
Falling standards of farm
machinery maintenance are
putting operators health at
risk, as Lantras Terry Howard
explained to Mike Williams
AN increase in accidents caused by poorly maintained tractors and machinery is being blamed on the downturn in farming profit margins, and there are calls for an increase in training to deal with the problem.
The link between safety and deteriorating standards of maintenance was identified by the Health and Safety Executive during its investigations into serious accidents on farms, and it prompted the HSE to feature tractor maintenance on its show stands this year.
Lantra National Training Organisation is collaborating in the campaign with an exhibit covering maintenance training courses. It has a cutaway tractor with a qualified instructor to explain the need for correct maintenance and the potential risks of using a tractor that is poorly maintained. The aim, says Lantras Terry Howard, is to raise awareness of the need for training and reverse the drastic fall in the uptake of courses in tractor and machinery maintenance.
Mr Howard, Lantras director for external affairs, says there is strong evidence that maintenance standards are falling. Examples include faulty parking brakes that allow a tractor to roll down a slope and cause injuries, or brakes that are so poor that the tractor cannot be stopped safely in an emergency.
"Tractors are the obvious problem, but the need for proper maintenance can affect other equipment as well," he said. "Trailers are an example. If the brakes are not working properly, they can cause a very serious accident, particularly when a loaded trailer is travelling on the road."
Fall in standards
The reasons for the fall in maintenance standards are linked to the financial pressures many farmers face, says Mr Howard. Replacement schedules for equipment are being extended, which means the average age of tractors and machinery that farmers are using has increased. On top of that, some farmers are no longer calling in the local dealer to do their servicing and choose the do-it-yourself approach to save costs.
"One of the problems with doing your own maintenance work is that many farmers are under so much pressure these days that it is difficult to find the time, and servicing a tractor is the sort of job you can keep putting off," he said. "We are also concerned about the safety aspects of untrained people doing maintenance work. Accidents can be caused if the work is not done properly, and there is also the risk to the person doing the maintenance if the tractor is not adequately propped, for example."
Tractor maintenance courses used to be held frequently and were popular, but they are now a rarity, and Mr Howard believes this could be another factor in the increase in the number of accidents linked to poor maintenance standards.
"But maintenance is only one aspect of training, and we want to encourage farmers to treat training in general as an integral part of running their business and not as some sort of add-on. It is important to raise the profile of training, and the best way to do that is to keep reminding people of its importance."
Lantra finds that some training courses attract clients more easily than others. Tractor maintenance may be low in the popularity charts, but courses for sprayer operators are well supported, and Mr Howard says this is because of the clear link between correct use of pesticides and profitability. Chainsaw courses are also popular, mainly because people are aware of the dangers of using a chainsaw, and recognise the benefits of attending a proper training course.
ATV operators courses are also popular, but despite the emphasis instructors put on wearing a safety helmet, Mr Howard admits many clients fail to take the advice back to the farm.
Reduced risk
"There is a lot of evidence that safety helmets reduce the risk of death or a serious head injury in an ATV accident, and both the HSE and Lantra put a lot of emphasis on the need to wear a helmet," said Mr Howard. "I think the main reason is that there are some problems with the motorcycle-type helmets most ATV operators are encouraged to wear.
"The HSE has done some research on this and their view is that motorcycle helmets are expensive and restrict the operators sideways vision, which can often be a nuisance."
HSE research has identified some helmets that avoid most of the disadvantages of motorcycle headgear, such as cyclists and equestrian helmets. The HSE work is also attracting the attention of specialist manufacturers of safety clothing, who are interested in designing a helmet specifically for the farming industry.
"I think a more suitable helmet would be helpful," said Mr Howard. "It would bring a more positive response to the message the instructors are putting across in the training courses, and it could also help to reduce the number of deaths and injuries caused by ATV accidents." *
Above: Terry Howard, Lantras director for external affairs, says the slump in farming incomes is putting maintenance standards at risk.
Left and below: Chainsaws and ATVs are two areas where operators are coming forward for training. But uptake is not so good for other types of machines.