Hurry and slurry - a deadly combination

But they are being strongly urged by Minister of State Martin Heydon not to sacrifice safety in the rush to complete tasks such as slurry spreading.

He said the number of fatal incidents due to slurry has reduced in recent years.

But over the past decade, on average, one person has died from drowning or asphyxiation due to gas or poorly maintained slurry equipment.

“In the ten-year period 2014 – 2023, there were seven drowning fatalities on farms involving open slurry pits and slurry tanks.

Even with good facilities, there is a risk of falling into a temporarily opened slurry tank during agitation or extraction of slurry,” he said.

Minister Heydon, who is responsible for farm safety in the Government, reminded farmers of the risks around slurry storage.

“With slurry, there is an almost ever-present risk of drowning. Open slurry pits without childproof and stockproof fencing, and open agitation points are a serious risk to life.

“Farmers should consider the TAMS3 Farm Safety Capital Investment Scheme for support with investments to make their slurry storage facilities safer,” he said.

The Minister said poorly maintained equipment also presents a safety risk when handling slurry.

Before agitating or spreading slurry, farmers should ensure that tractors, agitators and slurry tankers are in good condition.

Brakes, lights, power-take-off (PTO) shaft covers and guards, hydraulic coupling and hoses, and hitches should be checked to ensure they are in good working order.

Children should be kept away from the farmyard, slurry tanks and pits, and machinery when agitation and spreading are taking place.

Minister Heydon said slurry gases are a serious risk to safety during agitation and for a period of at least 30 minutes afterwards. This risk can be managed by a few simple steps:

• Check the weather forecast to ensure good conditions, particularly that there is adequate air movement to disperse slurry gases. By agitating on a windy day, gases released during the agitation are dispersed.
• Remove all livestock from the slatted shed and open all doors before commencing tank agitation. At least two people should be present, and they should stay up-wind 
• No one should be in the shed while the tank is being agitated – or in any building that shares a common airspace with it – for at least 30 minutes after agitating has finished. Ensure gases do not drift and build up in poorly ventilated areas of adjacent buildings.
• Remember, even with outdoor agitation points, slurry gas can build up to harmful levels where they are in sheltered areas such as between buildings or close to a hedge because of reduced air movement.
• Agitating a tank from an internal agitation point is not appropriate due to the risk posed by slurry gas.
• Never extend a building by roofing over an existing outdoor agitation point unless the agitation point is moved.” Minister Heydon said TAMS3 provides grant aid for tank extensions to install an outdoor agitation point, aeration systems and for circulation pipes for agitation and extraction.

IFA Farm Family and Social Affairs chair Teresa Roche has also urged farmers to be extremely vigilant when working with slurry.

“Slurry is a valuable asset on any farm. However, if not managed appropriately, slurry-holding facilities and operations can be locations for accidents.

“Due to the inclement weather conditions throughout spring, spreading conditions were not favourable.

“With the weather beginning to show signs of improvement, there will be a significant increase in slurry spreading around the country to clear the backlog.

“It is vital that all farmers, contractors and machinery operators adhere to the safety guidelines when working with slurry and make themselves aware of the dangers.

“No matter how much experience you have at farming, always keep safety at the forefront of your mind when working with slurry,” she said.