Farmers urged to take care when mixing slurry

Follow the slurry mixing code to reduce the health and safety risks  

The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) is reminding farmers to follow the slurry mixing code to stay safe, as the closed period for slurry spreading is due to commence at midnight on Friday 15 October 2021.

Slurry gas is a mixture of gases, including the extremely poisonous gas, hydrogen sulphide. Even a low concentration of hydrogen sulphide can knock out your sense of smell so you won’t even know it’s there. At higher concentrations you will rapidly find it harder to breathe and become confused - and at certain concentrations, just one breath can kill.

Mixing slurry can be a dangerous job as the gas is released very quickly, and in large quantities, as soon as the mixing starts. 

The first 30 minutes are the most dangerous, so it is important to remove all stock from the shed before mixing starts and for farmers to leave the building as soon as the mixing starts. It is also vitally important to stay out of the shed for at least 30 minutes after the mixing starts. 

The slurry mixing code

The slurry mixing code advises farmers to:

• keep children away from the area at all times when working with slurry
• if possible, mix on a windy day
• open all doors 
• take all animals out of the building before starting to mix slurry
• use outside mixing points first
• if slats are removed, cover exposed areas of the tank beside the pump/mixer to stop anything falling in
• start the pump/mixer – then get out and stay out of the building for as long as possible - at least 30 minutes
• if you have to go into the building, make sure that another adult who knows what you are doing stays outside and can get help if needed
• if you have to re-enter to move the pump or change the direction of the pump, leave the building as soon as this is done – do not go back in for as long as possible – at least another 30 minutes

You should never:

• rely on filter type facemasks
• use gas monitors as a substitute for working safely
• have naked flames near slurry, as slurry gas mixture is flammable
• stand close to the exhaust of a vacuum tanker when it is being filled

Farm safety advice

For more information about working safely with slurry contact the HSENI helpline on 0800 0320 121 or the farm safety topic page. Find out more information about ‘Giving Slurry Space’.

First published: 6 October 2021