On Day three of farm safety week, read how a helmet has saved a Perthshire farmer from more serious injury
A staggering thirty-five percent of those killed on Scottish farms in the last decade have lost their lives as a result of a vehicle overturning or being struck by a moving vehicle.
For day three of Farm Safety Week we focus on transport and the risks that can be involved in using the likes of a quad bikes to get around the farm on a daily basis. By taking simple precautions accidents can be prevented. And as our case study shows, simply wearing a helmet when driving the quad bike can prevent more serious injury.
Top safety tips:
• Make sure all drivers and riders receive adequate training
• Carry out regular checks and maintenance, e.g. tyre pressures, brakes etc. on all vehicles
• Take extra care with trailed or mounted equipment and understand how they affect stability
• Wear a helmet when riding an ATV
• Secure loads on racks and make sure they are evenly balanced
CASE STUDY: JOHNNY MACKEY, PERTHSHIRE
Dad-of-three Johnny Mackey lost control of his quad bike whilst reversing. He ended up underneath it, battered and bruised, all happening as his horrified father looked on.
Thankfully Johnny was wearing a helmet, or his injuries could have been more serious.
On reflection, Johnny, who farms livestock, blames no one elsewhere but himself and said that human error was a major factor in his accident. It left him in pain for a great number of weeks.
He explained what happened on the day of his accident in July 2013: “A couple of things had gone wrong that morning – nothing major but enough to make me fall behind with my routine tasks. At that time, I was breed secretary for the Luing Cattle Society running the office from home and most days started out with a walk around the stock at home and then helping my wife Suzie get our three young boys ready for the day. After that I’d jump onto the quad to go and check a group of cows and calves summering a couple of miles away on rented ground.
“So, conscious of the clock ticking in the office, I pulled on my helmet, jumped on the quad and took off up the road where I met my father driving towards me in his pick-up truck. Our road is narrow so somebody had to pull in to let the other past. Hence I found myself putting the bike into reverse quickly whilst muttering about my father’s uncanny ability to be on our road precisely when I’m going in the opposite direction.
“I went shooting backwards far too quickly while looking over my right shoulder and in a split second the quad was bucking and weaving across the road. Before I knew it I was tipping backwards while still holding onto the quad. Its over to my father for the ‘what happened next’ moment but apparently we (the quad and I) bounced along the road upside down together – my helmeted head hitting the road twice apparently – and came to rest upside down on a low stone wall.
“Fortunately the rack on the back of the bike was resting on the wall so I wasn’t taking the full weight of the 700cc diesel bike and was able to squeeze myself out from underneath. I was badly cut down my right side and knew my right thigh had taken the brunt of the impact but with my father’s help I was able to stand up.
“My father drove me to the local cottage hospital where they confirmed nothing was broken but I had severe bruising of my right leg and would need to rest for some weeks. Apparently the bruising had gone right through all the muscles and nerves and I was warned this would get pretty painful for a good few weeks to come. I had no idea how sore that would be and, because of the pain, I didn’t sleep properly for weeks afterwards.
“I’m very aware of how fortunate I was to walk away from my accident. I’ve never understood why so many farmers choose not to wear a helmet. They wouldn’t let their children ride a horse or a bike without one, so why not wear one themselves? Your head hits the ground with a lot more force coming off a fast-moving quad bike than it would from a mountain bike or a horse.
“I travel much slower forwards and backwards now and if I feel myself running late and rushing about, I stop, take 10 deep breaths and think of what might have been.”
Ends
Note to editors
• For a photograph of Johnny Mackey or to interview him please email media@nfus.org.uk or call 0131 472 4106.
• Farm Safety Week was first launched in 2013 and aims to cut the toll of accidents which give agriculture the poorest record of any occupation in the UK and Ireland. This year’s Farm Safety Week is being supported by a great number of organisations than ever before, including the Farm Safety Foundation, Farm Safety Partnerships, the Health and Safety Executive, Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland and the Health and Safety Authority, Ireland.
• This year’s Farm Safety Week takes place from July 6 to 10 and case studies are available during this week covering falls, livestock, machinery, transport and child safety.
• If using social media to promote Farm Safety Week please use the hashtag #FarmSafetyWeek
Contact Bob Carruth on 0131 472 4006