Managing Risks During Manure Application

During the rush of the season, it’s easy to put safety on the back burner as you race against the weather to get manure applied. However, we’ve all heard of the tragedies that occur during manure application. All it takes is one mishap and that heart-breaking farm accident could be yours. We can’t stress enough how important it is to make safety a priority; here are some ways you can manage risks during manure application.

Road Safety

» Roads are often dusty; be aware of vehicles and other large equipment.
» Keep your distance from other drivers and allow plenty of room for stops.
» Make sure tank brakes are properly adjusted and working.
» Clean signal lights often and keep them in good working condition.
» Wipe off your slow-moving vehicle signs before manure application.
» Check tires to avoid unexpected problems from occurring on the road.
» Secure and check hitch pins for wear; a bolt through the bottom with a lock nut also works well.

Pumping/Agitation

» Pit gas is always a threat to be aware of, especially during agitation and pumping.
» Make sure everyone on your team understands how to read a gas meter and what to watch for.
» Keep PTO shields in place.
» Slow down pumping when necessary; it’s better to lose a few hours than to have an accident.

Drag Hose Systems

As you know, dealing with high amounts of pressure always requires extra caution.
» Ensure there is no pressure in the hoses before disconnecting them.
» Be extra careful when purging hoses with air; air pressure is volatile and can be even more dangerous than liquid pressure.
» If you must relieve the pressure, do it slowly and properly with a valve while using caution.
» Do not allow hoses to get twisted, as it will cut off the flow and create even higher pressure.
» Never drive across hose lines that are full of liquid or pressure.

When managing risks during manure application, be extra mindful of children; their curiosity can lead to unsafe situations. We understand that a lot of these precautions are common sense, but it never hurts to remind ourselves to always be aware of the situation and to take the extra time to do things the right way. Most importantly, we want you and your team to go home safely each night.

Want to learn more about how your operation can manage risks during manure application? Contact our team! Here’s to a safe season of manure application!