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Health and Safety in Farming

Introduction

Farming has been an essential human activity since prehistory. However a careful assessment of risks to health, followed by appropriate control measures is needed to reduce the risks to health associated with farming. Health risks in farming are relatively high when compared to other industries.. 

Note: This page is not intended to be a comprehensive or exhaustive account of health hazards, risks and means of risk reduction in this particular type of workplace, but is intended to exemplify aspects of the Management of Health and Safety in Workplaces and to assist in education and practical implementation about this.
 

A walk through a farm.... Identifying Hazards
The accompanying image shows a slurry pit, into which drains excrement from the livestock e.g. cattle. Needless to say this can be offensive in its smell and appearance. 

But there is more to it than that ....... the resultant gases include Hydrogen Sulphide - which is highly toxic, and which has resulted in fatal poisonings. (Indeed Hydrogen Sulphide H2S is arguably as toxic as Hydrogen Cyanide HCN.) 

Hydrogen Sulphide is very foul smelling but very quickly paralyses the sense of smell, and can go on to overcome the victim and eventually cause death.
Biological hazards range from  zoonoses such as ovine chlamydioisis to those associated with animal carcasses which have not been adequately disposed of.....

Assessing Risks
Having identified the hazards, some of which are exemplified above, risks need to be assessed, based on factors such as the frequency and manner in which a task is undertaken, and so on. 

Special measurements may need to be made. For example, risk assessment in an intensive pig breeding farm might need to include measuring Ammonia (NH3) in the air (from decomposition of pigs' by-products) or measuring ambient noise levels (inside sheds full of squealing piglets).

Reducing/Controlling Risks

Elimination
Barns or sheds in farms typically contain corners/shelves/spaces underneath tables that are stacked full of chemicals of various sorts. Sometimes a careful review reviews a number which can be disposed of (following appropriate precautions) and thus eliminating risk altogether.

Substitution
In this farm, the farmer has decided to reduce the risks of intoxication that may be associated with sheep dipping by substitution -the canister on the left, and box cover in the middle relate to an insecticide containing pyrethroids rather than organophosphates.
The acute effects of organophosphates are well recognised. Essentially over exposure to these agents can result in damage at the site of transmission of impulses at 'synapses' the junction between one nerve cell and another cell. Organophosphates poison the enzyme which removes an important neuro transmitter (acetyl choline) once it has served its purpose. Therefore as a result of organophosphate poisoning the neurotransmitter continues to cause unchecked stimulation, and this may lead to many symptoms such as difficulty with breathing, etc. 

sheep2.jpg (107836 bytes)Chronic consequences of organophosphate exposure are the subject of considerable current debate. One of the practical problems relating to exposure to chemicals such as these is that in the context of sheep-dipping or agricultural spraying in conditions ranging from wet and windy to hot and sunny, it may be very difficult to control exposure through work practices and personal protection. 

The hazards and risks associated with the substituting chemicals or with other chemicals also need to be considered - note the formaldehyde used to treat certain conditions of the feet of sheep.