NFU publishes fire safety guide for farmers: practical steps to prevent fires

by Featured NewsIndustrialSafety

NFU releases fire prevention tips for agricultural settings

In a recent publication, the National Farmers Union (NFU) has shared a guide titled “Fire safety – 5 practical tips for preventing fires on farm.”

This guide aims to address the persistent risk of fires in agricultural settings, highlighting the potential for significant losses including farm buildings, produce, and livestock, not to mention the risk of injuries or fatalities.

Securing flammable substances: a key preventive measure

The first tip emphasises the importance of securely storing flammable substances away from public access.

The guide specifically mentions fuels, fertilisers, hay and straw bales, and chemicals as potential fire hazards.

“In particular, bales can be a target for arson; try to keep them away from any areas of public access,” the guide advises.

Where avoiding public access isn’t feasible, it suggests implementing measures like fencing to restrict entry.

Importance of a fire emergency procedure plan

Another critical recommendation is the development of a comprehensive fire emergency procedure plan.

This plan should be easily accessible and include details such as responsible personnel on the farm, muster points, evacuation routes, locations of flammable substances and potential ignition sources, and where fire extinguishers and water sources are located.

Advocating for separate storage units

The guide also advises keeping flammable materials and ignition sources in separate storage units, ideally at least 10 metres away from livestock.

Special attention is drawn to lithium-powered equipment and machines due to their potential for self-ignition.

Regular checks on electrical equipment

Ensuring that all electrical systems and equipment are in proper working order and do not pose a fire risk is another vital step.

Regular inspections and maintenance can help prevent electrical fires, which are a common cause of farm fires.

Utilising local resources for fire safety

Finally, the NFU suggests collaboration with local fire services to assess the suitability and practicality of existing fire prevention and emergency measures.

Additionally, it highlights the value of local WhatsApp groups for sharing information about arson incidents, enabling farmers to respond and manage risks more effectively.

IFSJ Comment

The NFU’s publication of practical fire safety tips for farms reflects a proactive approach to managing the inherent risks in agricultural environments.

By outlining key steps such as secure storage of flammable materials, establishing a fire emergency procedure plan, and regular checks on electrical equipment, the guide provides farmers with essential information to minimise fire risks.

Collaboration with local fire services and utilising community resources like WhatsApp groups for information sharing further enhance this safety initiative.

Such measures are crucial in safeguarding not only valuable farm assets but also the lives and wellbeing of those working in and around these environments.

The importance of careful hay baling to prevent fire risks

by Featured NewsWildland Fire

The challenge of hay baling in current conditions

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has issued an important reminder for those involved in hay baling this season.

Tim Mitchell, the National Wildfire Manager, highlighted the current challenging conditions for hay making, largely due to frequent rain and overcast conditions.

These weather patterns are making it difficult to achieve the necessary drying between cutting and baling of hay.

The moisture content of hay is a critical factor in fire risk, as wet hay is more likely to lead to spontaneous combustion compared to dry hay.

The risks of moist hay and fire prevention tips

When hay is baled with too much moisture, there’s a heightened risk of the haystack spontaneously combusting.

This is particularly concerning in areas that may face drought conditions, where losing precious feed could be disastrous.

Hay that is baled at less than 15% moisture carries a very low risk of fire, but as the moisture level increases, so does the risk of fire.

Fire and Emergency NZ offers several tips for safe hay baling, such as not rushing the process, delaying cutting if proper drying isn’t likely, and regularly checking the hay stack for any signs of heat build-up, steam, mould, or acid fumes.

Additional considerations for safe hay storage and baling equipment

Beyond the baling process, there are further precautions to take.

It’s advised to consider the storage location of hay, avoiding placing all in one place or near implement sheds and hedge rows.

Ensuring that baling equipment is in good working condition is also critical to avoid sparks and heat build-up which can start a fire.

It’s noted that the greatest risk for a fire from spontaneous combustion occurs in the first two to six weeks after hay is baled and stored at higher moisture levels.

IFSJ Comment

The reminder from Fire and Emergency New Zealand to take care during hay baling season is timely and crucial.

With the current challenging weather conditions, the risk of hay bale fires is notably increased, posing a significant threat to both property and feed supplies.

This reminder not only highlights the importance of proper moisture management in the baling process but also brings attention to the broader aspects of fire safety in agricultural settings.

By focusing on the right conditions for cutting and baling, regular monitoring of hay stacks, and proper maintenance of baling equipment, the potential for devastating fires can be significantly reduced.

This guidance serves as an essential resource for farmers and agricultural workers, emphasising the need for vigilance and careful planning to safeguard against the risks of fire in rural communities.

Farm fire costs in the UK reach over £95 million

by Breaking NewsSafety

Leading rural insurer NFU Mutual has called on farmers to be prepared and have fire control plans in place as the cost of farm fires rose to £95.6m in 2021.

Electrical faults were the biggest known cause of blazes last year and large-scale farm arson attacks worryingly shot up from £4.7m in 2020 to £8.4m in 2021. Biomass boiler fires also continued to increase last year and as many installations begin to age, people are being urged to carry out regular maintenance checks.

Andy Manson, Head of Risk Management Services at NFU Mutual, said: “Farm fires put lives at risk, as well as cause disruptive and devastating damage to farm businesses.

“To help protect their businesses, farmers should put fire prevention and control plans in place, such as regularly reviewing their fire risk assessment and acting on the findings.

“Most fires are preventable by carrying out routine maintenance and inspection on heating systems, electrical installations and machinery, and controlling hot works within farm workshops.

“Implementing and maintaining good standards of housekeeping, particularly around the storage of combustibles and flammables such as hay, straw and fuels, will also reduce the risk of a fire spreading.”

NFU Mutual Rural Affairs Specialist, Hannah Binns, added: “We are very concerned about the risig cost of arson attacks, which is a frightening prospect considering farms are not only farmers’ place of work but often their family home.

“We are urging everyone to be on their guard and improve their security to help prevent their business going up in smoke.”

Five fire safety tips from NFU Mutual Risk Management Services

Have a plan in place – Put people at the heart of your fire plan and ensure everyone on site knows what to do in the event of a fire. The biggest priority in the event of a fire is to evacuate everyone safely, including people working in or living around the premises, taking special care to assist any vulnerable persons. 

Don’t mess with electrics – Electrical faults are a major cause of fire whilst electric shock can cause death or severe injury. Don’t try and attempt electrical work yourself and always use a qualified and competent electrician for work and inspections. DIY modifications, poor environmental conditions (such as wet, damp or acidic atmospheres), rodents, overloaded sockets and simple wear and tear are common causes of electrical fires on farms.

Suppress the risk – suppression systems are a major game changer for the industry and play a critical role in detecting, containing and extinguishing fire. Whether you have a biomass boiler or a combine harvester, working in hot, dry conditions, fire suppression systems can save lives and property. 

Keep on top of your housekeeping – Good housekeeping is absolutely essential to ensure materials and machinery are stored correctly and to eliminate dust and debris. The build-up of waste and materials not only adds to the fuel that can burn in a fire, but can block escape routes and cause trip hazards in an emergency.

Control hot work – Welding, cutting or grinding equipment, along with blow lamps and blow torches can produce sparks which can turn into fires if they hit a combustible material. If work can’t be done outside, ensure you are in a clear, open area and far away from combustible materials (including combustible building structures). Anyone carrying out hot works on your farm should be subject to a strict ‘Permit to Work’ system.