Urgent! Dodgy batch of weak seed bags - possible fatal risk.

[Feldspar]

I am aware of a case locally where a multi-use bag has split across the lifting straps without warning. Bag was being lifted with a telehandler with approved lifting gear whilst stationary. There are suggestions from the seed dressers that there could be a weak lot of bags.

Message to everyone is to be very careful when lifting seed bags and think very carefully about safe working practices.

Pass this message on to anyone else you know because if there is a weak lot of bags out there then this could easily result in a fatality.

 

[chickens and wheat]

we had some tonne bags like that one year, bloody dangerous, never ordered tonnes since

 

[Rob Holmes]

I was speaking to our neighbour yesterday who also had 2 bags split, seed from a national distributor

 

[Cropwell]

Which bags should we be looking out for, merchant or bag manufacturer?

 

[Feldspar]

Which bags should we be looking out for, merchant or bag manufacturer?

Sorry, always a bit wary of naming, but in this instance it's important. They were the white multi-use bags through Premier Seeds.

 

[Barleycorn]

HSE ought to be informed. This is one instance that they could actually be of practical use.

 

[milkloss]

HSE ought to be informed. This is one instance that they could actually be of practical use.

Wouldn't hold your breath!

 

[Farmtech]

Had some 1 tonne bags from Origin that did this.
Half tonnes only since then....scary !!

 

[Banana Bar]

I've had the same from the same processor, and spoke to Feldspar earlier. Without going outside to check I'm fairly certain they are called something like DC pack

 

[Manny]

I've had a bag split this year, first time ever. The bag was on the bag lifter about 2 foot of the ground and I was off the loader closing the shed door when there was a sudden ripping sound and both loops gave way. Normal I would of put the bag straight over the drill and climbed up to untie the shoot which would mean being under the bag. The joys of working alone!!!

 

[llamedos]

Some useful info on this site re safety labels which should be on the bags- have a look on the ones which have failed, I would contact the manufacturer of the bags, and give them chance of a recall. Sounds as if there could be a manufacturing fault.
https://dapak.co.uk/bulk-bags-fibcs/

 

[Feldspar]

Bag manufacturer has been contacted and is coming out to inspect bags.

 

[Chae1]

Surely all the faulty bags should be recalled before someone is killed?

 

[llamedos]

Surely all the faulty bags should be recalled before someone is killed?

Now that they have been contacted, as @Feldspar says above, it will give them that chance, as with all things similar to this, if no one bothers to contact a manufacturer, they would have no cause for concern nor recall.

I doubt many farmers would even have an inkling there are standards for bulk bags, nor that many are classed as 'single use'

 

[Qman]

When I'm drilling it always worries me when trying to undo big bags of seed. I'm surprised with all the health and safety stuff that these things are allowed. I wish they could be like fertiliser and you could open them from a distance.

 

[Feldspar]

When I'm drilling it always worries me when trying to undo big bags of seed. I'm surprised with all the health and safety stuff that these things are allowed. I wish they could be like fertiliser and you could open them from a distance.

We are using a long hook that we use for fertiliser bags on single use bags and are just cutting from the side. Will not put anyone underneath a bag again given these instances. Only takes one bag...

 

[Zippy768]

I try and clamber over the front of the drill and reach over. Far from ideal. Never liked the idea of being underneath a bag. Instead I risk falling off the link arm or something

 

[JD6920s]

When I'm drilling it always worries me when trying to undo big bags of seed. I'm surprised with all the health and safety stuff that these things are allowed. I wish they could be like fertiliser and you could open them from a distance.

Nothing to stop you doing that.

 

[chickens and wheat]

trouble with cutting seed bags is they do leak a few strips of material when cut, which obviously wrap round an important drill part.

I have a bulk box you can fill at ground level then lift over the drill, safer but doesnt save you from having to reach under the bag to open it, its main use was for splitting tonne bags to fill a 1/2 drill hopper

 

[bravheart]

Just heard of a guy near here with a broken ankle after a strap broke and knocked him off the side of the drill.


Bags are pretty well designed these days not to catch on something and open while moving, it just means the emptying spout is tucked up under the outer skin of the bag, also the emptying tube seems to be tied and tied again and again just incase, doesn't seem necessary to tie it that often makes them pretty much impossible to empty without reaching under or cutting.
Did i mention they tie the tube once more for luck.