The agriculture sector is one of Northern Ireland’s largest and oldest industries. Whilst many would describe the job as rewarding, it’s also extremely dangerous.
Health and safety in the agricultural sector is a growing concern and the advancements in the agri-tech sector are so crucial in revolutionising the industry. At Donite Plastics, we are at the forefront of the agri-tech sector, utilising the latest processing machinery to convert metal and GRP components to attractive, lightweight thermoformed replacements to make the agricultural industry as efficient and safe as it can be.
In celebration of Farm Safety Week from 18th to 22nd July, we’ll be looking at some examples of how the advancements of the agri-tech sector have improved safe working conditions for agricultural labourers.
Chain Guards
Exposed chains or rotating parts are also a great cause for concern which is why guards are vital for all farm machinery. Before you complete any job on the farm, make sure all guards are on and fitted properly.
Sensors
These machines can sense the presence of people or objects nearby and have the capability to stop machinery. For example, machines which wrap hay bales, have sensors on them to slow a machine down if an obstacle or a person comes within its range.
Precision gas monitoring
Mixing slurry is perhaps one of the most dangerous jobs due to the exposure to gases which can quickly overcome a person and cause them to become unconscious. Precision gas monitoring can help alleviate the concerns around slurry tanks, with monitors showing warnings about excessive or dangerous levels of gas. This monitoring can be linked with automated ventilation systems to alleviate the gas build up without human intervention.
Drones
Drones are quite often associated with photography, but did you know that they have become a vital piece of equipment for farmers as well? Drones allow farmers to see things they could not otherwise view at ground level, for instance, to identify weed infestations, as well as scanning the crops and fields to measure, monitor and create terrain maps.
Robotics
This can offer a route to replace human labour in some dangerous job, for example, through automated or assisted tractor controls or automated greenhouse spraying, which can minimise the health risks associated with inhaling pesticides and other chemicals. Automated milking is another example which reduces the need for animal handling, thereby improving safety.
The advancements of the agri-tech sector have significantly altered the health and safety risks for farmers across the agricultural sector, with automation and new technology in farm machinery helping to reduce hazards. Not only is agri-tech helping to reduce the severity of injuries, but it also brings the additional benefits of higher output yields, reduced insurances and is a more environmentally friendly alternative.
If you are interested in finding out more about how Donite Plastics is helping to develop the agri-tech sector, visit: https://www.donite.com/sectors.php#agri-tech-sector or email contact@donite.com.