Farmers in Northern Ireland are being urged to make their safety a priority when agitating slurry ahead of the closed period for spreading.

The Farm Safety Partnership and the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) have warned that just one breath of poisonous slurry gas can kill.

The advice comes as the closing date for spreading slurry is fast approaching.

Harry Sinclair, chair of the Farm Safety Partnership, said that it is a busy time of year for farmers "who will be under pressure to get their slurry tanks emptied ahead of the October 15 deadline".

"But they must put their own safety and that of their family and workers first.

"Do not take any chances when mixing slurry, it is not worth losing your life over.

"Stop and think about the entire job and ensure you follow the slurry mixing code.

“Always keep children and animals away during the mixing process. Farmers must stay out of the shed for 30 minutes after mixing starts or after moving or re-directing the pump,” he said.

Bryan Monson, deputy chief executive of the HSENI added: “Mixing slurry can be a dangerous job as the gas is released very quickly, and in large quantities, as soon as the mixing starts".

"Slurry gas is a mixture of gases, including the extremely poisonous gas, hydrogen sulphide.

"At higher concentrations you will rapidly find it harder to breathe and become confused - and at certain concentrations, just one breath can kill.

"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,” he added.

The Farm Safety Partnership and HSENI reminded farmers of the slurry mixing code:

Open all doors and windows;
If possible, mix on a windy day;
Keep children away from the area at all times when working with slurry;
Take all animals out of the building before starting to mix;
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;
Never rely on filter-type facemasks or use gas monitors as a substitute for working safely;
Never rely on monitors at the start of mixing - the volumes of gas could exceed the capacity of the monitor;
Never have naked flames near slurry - some parts of the slurry gas mixture is flammable;
Never stand close to the pump/exhaust of a vacuum tanker when it is being filled

For more information about working safely with slurry contact the HSENI helpline on 0800 0320 121 or visit the HSENI website.