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Ciaran Roche
FBD Risk Manager

Key guidelines for building and maintenance work

Many of the largest liability claims received by FBD come from accidents that occur during farm building and maintenance work. This underscores the importance of ensuring that all such projects are carried out in a safe manner, writes Ciaran Roche, FBD risk manager

Farmers frequently undertake building and maintenance projects on their property, but these tasks, especially those involving work at height, can be incredibly dangerous. Safety must always be the top priority when planning, or carrying out, any farm building-related construction or repair work.

Hiring competent contractors

Whenever possible, it’s advisable to hire competent, insured contractors to carry out building and maintenance tasks. Skilled professionals are equipped with the necessary experience, knowledge, equipment, and safety methods to reduce the risk of accidents occurring. Farmers must appoint, in writing, project supervisors for the design process (PSDP) and project supervisors for the construction stage (PSCS) where: 

  1. There is more than one contractor involved in the work;
  2. There is a particular risk; or 
  3. The work is going to last more than 30 days or more than 500 person days. 

An example of ‘particular risk’ includes work that puts a person at risk of falling from a height (working on a fragile roof or repairing an asbestos roof, for instance). It also includes work near high-voltage power lines (building a shed on a site with existing power lines, for example).

Work at height – the leading cause of farm accidents

Falls from heights are the leading cause of fatalities and serious injuries on farms during maintenance and repair work. According to the Health & Safety Authority (HSA), over the past 10 years, there have been 98 fatalities as a result of falls from height in Irish workplaces, 20 of these occurred on Irish farms. They have identified the main hazards when working at height as falls from ladders, falls from unprotected edges of roofs or other structures, and falls through fragile roof materials.1 It is crucial that farmers take every precaution to safeguard anyone working at height.

The Safety, Health, and Welfare at Work Regulations 2007 (Part 4, Work at Height) provide a risk-based framework for selecting appropriate equipment and processes to minimise risks. According to this framework, the hierarchy of controls for work at height is as follows:

  1. Avoid work at height where possible;
  2. Prevent falls from height; and, failing that,
  3. Reduce the consequences of a fall.

Work at height – essential safety measures

To ensure safety when working at height, the following guidelines should always be observed:

Proper planning and supervision
All work at height must be thoroughly planned, organised, and supervised.

Safe work environment
Ensure that the working area is secure and stable for workers at height.

Weather considerations
Always account for weather conditions as rain, wind or frost can increase risks.

Training and instruction
Workers must receive proper training and clear instructions regarding safe practices.

Equipment inspection
Select appropriate equipment for working at height and regularly inspect it to ensure it is in good condition.

Collective protection
Prioritise measures that protect all workers, such as guard rails, over personal-protection measures, such as safety harnesses.

Fragile surfaces
Control risks associated with fragile surfaces, such as skylights or weak roofing materials.

Prevent falling objects
Ensure that measures are in place to prevent injuries from falling objects.

Using ladders and other equipment

When using ladders, make sure they are in good condition, properly footed, secured at the top, and extend at least one metre above the access point to the roof. For certain jobs, specialised equipment like roof ladders or crawl boards may be necessary. Always ensure there is a system for fall prevention or fall protection in place, whether that’s a scaffold, cherry picker, or another type of equipment for more extensive work.
In conclusion, farm building and maintenance work, especially when performed at height, requires careful planning and attention to safety protocols. By adhering to the regulations and taking necessary precautions, farmers can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and protect everyone involved.

 

1 HSA launch farm inspection campaign focusing on safe work at height; 

https://bit.ly/3UAUQwL

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