We’re entering the summer period, where hard work and preparation is starting to pay off. It’s great to see fields starting to green up and our focus will now turn to saving the winter feed.
As summer approaches, people across the countryside have started to enjoy getting outdoors again. Similarly, families with small children have also started to frequent country roads with daily excursions now a part of their everyday life.
Narrow roads and boreens are already challenging for large farm machinery. Now, you’ll need to share them more frequently with other vehicles and pedestrians and without the luxury of footpaths and streetlights too.
In short, using large machinery will bring with it new and added dangers.
How to ensure everyone’s safety
Now more than ever it’s important that you, as a farmer or contractor participating in the cutting of crops or transport of hay/silage, are extra vigilant and that you prepare the other road users.
Here are some of the ways you can help to ensure everyone’s safety:
Display signage
These will let other road users know where you are operating from that day.
Ensure you’re roadworthy
All your vehicles should be in good working condition and should meet the RSA guidelines in relation to lights, beacons and vehicle widths.
Identify areas of risk
All your drivers should be made aware of built-up areas, schools, sportsgrounds and parks along your routes. Plan to avoid these areas if possible.
Train all staff
While farm machinery has come on in leaps and bounds recently, they’ve also become much bigger and faster. All drivers and operators should be fully trained to handle these machines.
Children’s safety
Contractors should speak to the farmer prior to carrying out work ensuring that children are supervised in the yard area and kept away from areas of danger.
What you should expect from other road users
Conversely, other roads users need to understand the pressure and timelines of farmers and contractors during this busy period.
Ideally, they should consider the following duty-of-care measures:
- Try and avoid roads farm machinery are operating on.
- Respond to all warning signs like road signs, hazard lights and beacons.
- Slow down and try to pull in. The machines are large and often top heavy.
- Communicate with farmer/contractor if there are any events taking place that will make the road busier.
- Always supervise young children and educate them on the dangers.
Like most parts of a farmer’s calendar year, the silage season doesn’t last long. And with good planning and luck, hopefully another one will pass with no issues or incidents.
At AXA, we’re proud to provide cover for over 25,000 farmers. Our dedicated farm insurance specialists have the right blend of industry knowledge and experience to help you get the most from your cover. It means they can offer you tailor-made solutions that fit your needs to drive you and your farm forward.
