Farm Safety Starts with Good Housekeeping

Photo Karen Graham.
Deputy Fire Chief Mike Tennant with Peter Doris.

This season has been particularly challenging for the agricultural community.  Even when the sun has been shining, the consequences of consecutive days of rain has left many fields too wet to prepare, let alone plant.  When a window of opportunity to make some headway opens, farmers are eager to literally make hay while the sun shines and this combination of stress and haste can lead to costly mistakes.

Peter Doris, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs was on hand at the Millbrook Fair last month to discuss steps farmers can take to prepare for emergencies such as fire, power outages, drought and ice storms in their agricultural business, but he also suggested that catastrophic losses often stem from more mundane causes that can be avoided by following some basic, routine practices.

One of the most simple and cost-effective ways to reduce the likelihood of a barn fire is good housekeeping in the barn.  Removing clutter and highly combustible materials including cobwebs, straw, hay and dust from electrical systems, fans, augers and motors with compressed air,  limits access to material that allows a small fire to spread.

Extension cords connecting temporary electrical equipment also pose a danger and increase the chance of fire occurring through degraded outlets and extension cords.  Any equipment that is not hard-wired into the electrical system is considered temporary, and its use should be limited and monitored regularly while in use.  Hard-wiring regularly used fans and heaters will reduce their inherent fire risk.  Extension cords erode quickly when left in humid livestock housing areas, so they should be stored elsewhere.   Keeping a charged, 10 lb. ABC fire extinguisher within reach of temporary fans and heaters can allow a quick response to a potential disaster.

Permanent electrical systems are one of the most vulnerable areas in a livestock barn due to the corrosive effect of gasses generated by livestock and manure.  Thermal cameras used regularly will detect overheating in equipment that needs to be addressed.  Livestock buildings should be well ventilated even when vacant to prevent them from becoming humid, corrosive or potentially explosive environments.

Welding, cutting with torches or grinding activities create heat and are common causes of fire, particularly when performed near combustible materials or in the presence of manure gases.  Even torches used to thaw frozen water lines have been known to spark barn fires.  Work that generates heat should be undertaken in well-ventilated areas. When performed indoors, remove all combustible material and have that fire extinguisher handy!

Barn fires have been on the decline across the province, but when they occur, their average cost now approaches $200,000.  A Risk Reduction Assessment of facilities conducted with the help of an insurance provider or local fire department can help identify vulnerabilities.  Cavan Monaghan Fire staff can help with that, and can be reached by calling 705-932-2765 or by email at bbalfour@cavanmonaghan.net. KG

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