To help improve Health and Safety in the farming world, The Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies) are running the #farmsafteyweek campaign 17-21 July.

Want to learn more about Farm Safety? The Farm Safety Foundation have some great resources for Farmers, Young Farmers and Parents alike. Find it all on yellowellies.org.

 As a part of the farming community, farm safety is very important to us, not just for the week but 24/7, 365 days of the year. We’ve put together some of our staple stock to help you stay safe in the farming landscape. We have also put together a carousel for our safety offerings in the country stores on our @martin_pears_country_store and @martin_pears_engineering_ltd social media pages. 

Machinery & Engineering

Quadbike & SIDE-BY-SIDE Safety

From November 2023 there will be 2 new mandatory requirements.

• All quad operators to have completed an ATV safety training course provided by a registered training provider.
• A protective helmet must be worn when operating a quad.

With each ATV & UTV sale, the new owner is signed up to EASI®, the European All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Institute, receiving a safety pack as part of our service.

As certified dealers for Honda, Kawasaki & Suzuki we are also proud to say that when purchasing one of their new quads, they offer complimentary EASIRider Training Courses.

PTO Guards & Machinery Guards

It may seem self explanatory, but, over the past five years, 10% of all fatal injuries in farming were as a result of contact with machinery according to the HSE annual workplace fatality statistics 2016/2017.

If a guard breaks, don’t put it off, we stock a huge selection of PTOs and guards, and what we don’t have, we can get parts in-store as quickly as next day to ensure you don’t lose precious time.

Not sure you have the right parts for the job? Let us advise, and take the guess work out of your safety.

ATV Services and ATV Maintenance 

Servicing your quad for warranty purposes makes sense, but it’s important to keep up to date on your ATV maintenance, especially in these key areas –

• Tyres & tyre pressures. ATV tyre pressures as standard are low, eg typically around 2–7 psi, so even 1 psi difference in pressure can cause control problems.
• Brakes and throttle. Check that the brakes give a safe straight stop and that the throttle operates smoothly in all steering positions.

Find out more on ATV Care here – HSE: Safe use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in agriculture and forestry. https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/pubns/ais33.pdf

Machinery Services and Maintenance 

Much like looking after your ATV’s, looking after your machinery is equally important, just make sure you are doing those repairs & maintenance safely.

• Broken or missing parts can put strain on other areas
• Regular servicing and lubricating reduces seizing and prolonged wear
• Ensure all guards covering running gear are in-tact, if there is deterioration this needs to be replaced asap
• Keep your hands out of the machinery when it’s on, remember -SAFE STOP
• Bring the machine to us, rather than trying to work on it at home

Using the Right Machinery

Well maintained machinery is all well and good if it is appropriate for the job.

Make sure you are using machinery that is made for the job to ensure any unnecessary breakages.

We pride ourselves on our experience and knowledge, helping us advise on appropriate machinery. We know each piece of land is different, and how you manage that land can also vary.

Country Store

Be seen with Hi-Vis Clothing

We have a range of Hi-Vis clothing from UPOWER and Cottonmount. From thick winter coats to lighter weight body warmers, whether your on a Quad or on-site, it’s safe to be seen.

Safety and Comfort

We stock a range of footwear in a variety of safety specs from BUCKBOOTZ, Dunlop & UPOWER.

We offer trainer style, lace ups and non lace up dealer boots, wellies and more in-store.

Stock Up on PPE and First Aid

Thanks to Kramp we have a selection of PPE, including glasses, face masks, gloves and disposable coveralls. Good personal hygiene helps reduce the spread of disease.

We also stock a large range of disinfectant, insect and vermin control to ensure a cleaner environment.

Helmets for all Occasions

From welding to quadbikes, we have a range of helmets to keep you safe and protected whilst you’re on the job.

As of November 2023 it is mandatory for all quad operators to wear a protective helmet when operating a quad. – Yellow Wellies, Farm Safety Week 2023, Latest News

Keep Things Running Smoothly

A well maintained machine is a safer machine. We have everything you need to keep your machines running smoothly. Whether it’s the smallest bolt, a medium tine or large PTO shaft, we stock a range of parts and supplies, (what we don’t have in, we can source it quickly) so you don’t waste time but you’re still safe.

Safe Livestock Handling

When it comes to livestock handling, well-made and safe equipment is priceless. We stock a range of crushes and races from LM Bateman and Ritchie. Throw away the gates and baler twine and save time & energy and keep yourself safe with a handling system that does the hard work for you.

Yellow Wellies find first hand experiences very valuable in changing how safety is seen in the farming world, help them by sharing your story here.