Wake up to Tiredness

[Farm Safety Foundation]

WORK-RELATED FATIGUE CAN BE VERY BAD FOR YOUR SAFETY AND YOUR HEALTH AND NOWHERE IS THIS MORE RELEVANT THAN IN FARMING!
In a recent UK-wide study of 95 farmers we carried out in partnership with our funder NFU Mutual back in April 2021, 69% of respondents identified tiredness as a major risk to farming safely. Second only to rushing (74%).

Too often, fatigue or tiredness is the forgotten occupational health and safety issue, one with potentially deadly consequences.

As well as an increased risk of injury at work, tiredness, caused by excessively long working hours and patterns can increase the risk of health conditions including heart, digestive and mental health problems.


PHOTO COURTESY OF HSENI


Most farmers surveyed, have taken risks or have seen risks being taken as a result of both tiredness and rushing – from falling asleep at the wheel, to not taking proper safety precautions, to simply not tidying up properly. Although often major incidents are avoided, most understand that there is potential for major harm as a result of cutting corners



Our new research is supported by Ilinca-Ruxandra Tone and Dr. Amy Irwin of the Non-technical Skills in Agriculture team at the School of Psychology, University of Aberdeen in their “Assessing the impact of stress and fatigue on situation awareness in Irish and British farmers” publication.

According to their findings, when you are fatigued and under stress, your situation awareness – your ability to perceive the current situation, to understand what is going on and to predict future consequences – may be impaired.

This is especially dangerous if you are operating machinery and working with animals, as you need to be alert at all times. If you are working remotely or alone and you are tired, lack of communication and coordination with others, such as sharing your plans and establishing contingency measures, can also delay help in case of an emergency.

In the study, the team discovered that the contribution of fatigue to farm safety was widely acknowledged, both in general terms and as a causal factor in the context of critical incidents. Participants took more risks and shortcuts to complete tasks quicker when tired. As one commented: “You would definitely cut corners.”

In most critical incidents, long working hours, high workload, and a lack of sleep were the main factors leading to this extreme tiredness.



So, are you dead tired?
Ask yourself:
✓ Sleep – are you getting enough rest?
✓ Symptoms of fatigue – Do you recognise any of the following in your current state?
‣ Dizziness, headaches, blurred vision
‣ Aching muscles
‣ Poor concentration
‣ Slow reflexes and reactions
‣ Mood changes and social changes
✓ Stress – How are your current stress levels?
✓ Diet & exercise – Are you eating and drinking water regularly? Do you exercise
regularly?
✓ Stimulants – How much do you rely on caffeine?
✓ Communication & coordination – Do you regularly keep in touch with others

READ MORE HERE - https://research.abdn.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2019/03/Web-Fatigue-management-1.pdf

So what can we do about this?

Let’s be clear, certain levels of stress and fatigue are sometimes inevitable in the agricultural industry but, with 89% of farmers wanting advice on how to combat fatigue, any advice should come from those who live and work in the industry and who are experiencing this challenge first hand.

To this end, we did a call out on our @yellowwelliesUK social media channels for Top Tips and this is what was suggested…

TOP TIPS:

• For the two weeks before any particularly busy time, get up an hour and a half before you normally would so you can build up a routine of longer days
• Don’t be afraid to admit when you need a break. Long hours are often seen as an expectation in this industry. Time off shouldn’t be so frowned upon as we ALL need it!

According to James Keller, a farmer from Warwickshire:

Eat well and try to cut out alcohol during lambing, calving and harvest – it keeps you alert and means you can look forward to the reward when it’s over.

• Keep hydrated and walk in the fantastic British countryside can realistically tackle tiredness!
• Embrace nature and let your mind wander as you take a breather.
• Practice 40 winks after lunch, even closing your eyes helps. We can all learn from lorry drivers!
• Take time out and spend it with your family, friends or simply doing nothing! Be disciplined with it (easier said than done!)

As Wayne Langford, the YOLO NZ farmer says:



Success is not just based on profit per hectare, or lower farm working expenses, but family life and happiness. Find the joy in everyday moments

If you find that tiredness is affecting you, either on a personal or a professional level, or if you experience stress and depression, please reach out and seek immediate help: speak to someone you trust, talk to your GP or contact one of the support organisations highlighted in the National Directory of Rural and Farm Support Groups CLICK HERE

 

[betweenthelines]

Flogging a dead horse on here, mate.

Don't you know that most farmers are so poor they can't employ enough staff so the one's they do employer have to do 16 hour days driving those shiny tractors and combines at harvest time. Livestock workers are no better off either, having to work a 14 hour spread shift for twelve days before getting a day off- no money in Dairy either, especially after those fancy green machines get paid for and the farmer is forced to pay £1500 a head for more cows,

 

[michael N123]

I finished at 11 and got up at 6 and I feel great

 

[Flatlander]

Fir me I’m ok doing the long hours but when stress is tossed in the mix it’s tough to focus properly If the powers to be ie the government give a rats ass they would make sure farmer were properly paid for their produce. Only then would we be able to de stress and afford some help and improve our mental health and family life. It’s not all about money but when the difference of having the family fed and a roof over their heads is just a few more hour each night farmers will do it. I openly admit that I will do numerous all nighters when in a pinch to get work done and yes I’ve fallen asleep a few time in the field. I am not alone and often will spend a good part of the night chatting with friend and neighbours doing the same.

 

[Yale]

Have to admit having a 10 minute nap under a shady tree last Sunday whilst mowing grass.

Was feeling a bit fatigued so had a power nap.

More to do with picking up two of our teenage kids from a party late on than work.

 

[jondear]

Have to admit having a 10 minute nap under a shady tree last Sunday whilst mowing grass.

Was feeling a bit fatigued so had a power nap.

More to do with picking up two of our teenage kids from a party late on than work.

As they get older and can't drive yet it gets worse than when little .Having to pick them up from work at pub at 1030 pm .And the fact don't go to bed till late so banging around house even if you want to go to bed early !

 

[Hfd Cattle]

The biggest problem I have is when the 'hectic busy time ' gives you an easier day . Last week I had a lot of grass on the ground over 10 miles from home , neighbouring a housing estate . We also had 72 acres worth of bales to get in on a farm closer to home . It was a full on week and bales other side of town had to be moved as soon as possible after baling due to kids 'unruly' behaviour ! By Fri night it was all done and Sat was a relatively easier day but by heck did I suffer and even into Sunday I was still dog tired . Fine when it was happening but after the tiredness really kicks in .
Couple of Sunday's ago we had all the kids around (with their kids) so I was forced to have a day off .......couple of days later the one daughter says on the phone " dad it was lovely to be all together on Sun but such a pity you spent most of it asleep in the chair " .......it makes you think !

 

[Grass And Grain]

Fir me I’m ok doing the long hours but when stress is tossed in the mix it’s tough to focus properly If the powers to be ie the government give a rats ass they would make sure farmer were properly paid for their produce. Only then would we be able to de stress and afford some help and improve our mental health and family life. It’s not all about money but when the difference of having the family fed and a roof over their heads is just a few more hour each night farmers will do it. I openly admit that I will do numerous all nighters when in a pinch to get work done and yes I’ve fallen asleep a few time in the field. I am not alone and often will spend a good part of the night chatting with friend and neighbours doing the same.

Agree with this.

Trying not to be grumpy and negative, but I truly believe lack of profit means can't afford the paid staff, therefore the farmer ends up working longer hours.

We hear much about depression, mental health and farm safety. That's great to highlight the problem, but we need to fix the cause, and I think it's related to insufficient profitability.

Don't think BPS being replaced by SFI is going to help AT ALL.

 

[czechmate]

I finished at 11 and got up at 6 and I feel great

Your young

 

[David.]

Once you start fighting sleep you are on the downward slope to an accident.
Stop the tractor, damn what anyone else thinks, set phone alarm for 1/2hr and take a nap. It really works, you wake up fresh to to again.

 

[Vader]

They asked 95 farmers.
Works with nfu.
So they did not ask farmers then....

 

[czechmate]

Once you start fighting sleep you are on the downward slope to an accident.
Stop the tractor, damn what anyone else thinks, set phone alarm for 1/2hr and take a nap. It really works, you wake up fresh to to again.

I find when I sleep for a half hour, after lunch/watching telly at night, I feel awful when I wake

 

[Vader]

Once you start fighting sleep you are on the downward slope to an accident.
Stop the tractor, damn what anyone else thinks, set phone alarm for 1/2hr and take a nap. It really works, you wake up fresh to to again.

Red bull and a kit kat!!

 

[Jdunn55]

Agree with this.

Trying not to be grumpy and negative, but I truly believe lack of profit means can't afford the paid staff, therefore the farmer ends up working longer hours.

We hear much about depression, mental health and farm safety. That's great to highlight the problem, but we need to fix the cause, and I think it's related to insufficient profitability.

Don't think BPS being replaced by SFI is going to help AT ALL.

I love the new red tractor standards that were sent out last week:
Due to the high number of agricultural deaths were going to make you do a health and safety plan

Do you think they realise they are part of the reas0n so many farmers are killing themselves?
I would bet 100% that if you could ask every farmer that's killed themselves in recent times that were also red tractor assured they would say red tractor were part of the reason

 

[betweenthelines]

I love the new red tractor standards that were sent out last week:
Due to the high number of agricultural deaths were going to make you do a health and safety plan

Do you think they realise they are part of the reas0n so many farmers are killing themselves?
I would bet 100% that if you could ask every farmer that's killed themselves in recent times that were also red tractor assured they would say red tractor were part of the reason

Doing a Safety plan means you have to put a bit of thought into working in a safe manner. I would suggest that the mere act of lots of people doing a plan has prevented numerous accidents.

 

[farenheit]

I love the new red tractor standards that were sent out last week:
Due to the high number of agricultural deaths were going to make you do a health and safety plan

Do you think they realise they are part of the reas0n so many farmers are killing themselves?
I would bet 100% that if you could ask every farmer that's killed themselves in recent times that were also red tractor assured they would say red tractor were part of the reason

That's a hell of an assertion to make out of thin air and probably not really fair on people involved with Red Tractor.

 

[Jdunn55]

Is it? I wouldn't. I also wouldnt say it's out of thin air, every single farmer I speak to about red tractor says about the stress it causes them including myself. The people in red tractor atleast the higher up you go, don't care one bit about us, they care about their pay cheque and keeping the supermarkets happy, if they cared about us they would try and help us, never seen them do that but there we go

That's a hell of an assertion to make out of thin air and probably not really fair on people involved with Red Tractor.

 

[Jdunn55]

Doing a Safety plan means you have to put a bit of thought into working in a safe manner. I would suggest that the mere act of lots of people doing a plan has prevented numerous accidents.

I wouldn't, what on earth is a bit of paper going to do? I'll do one done get me wrong, but if your tractor takes off down a hill how on earth is a piece of paper going to save you?
If a bull knocks down a wall jumps over 10 fences and pins you against the ground are you going to tell him to wait whilst you consult the health and safety plan?
I'll make one, give it to each of my employees and then expect to see each piece of paper chcuked in the bin afterwards

 

[Jdunn55]

I'lI just add, that I don't mean the inspectors, they don't set the rules they have the unfortunate job of enforcing them, I really like the one who does mine

That's a hell of an assertion to make out of thin air and probably not really fair on people involved with Red Tractor.

 

[farenheit]

Is it? I wouldn't. I also wouldnt say it's out of thin air, every single farmer I speak to about red tractor says about the stress it causes them including myself. The people in red tractor atleast the higher up you go, don't care one bit about us, they care about their pay cheque and keeping the supermarkets happy, if they cared about us they would try and help us, never seen them do that but there we go

I'm really not trying to be contrary for the sake of it, but does Red Tractor really take more than about 2 days of anyone's time? It would probably take less if I actually kept all my certificates in the right place. I understand some of it is a ball-ache but is there anything thats really that bad in it? There's not much that they ask that I wouldn't do anyway. I mean, I probably wouldn't keep a record of when I washed my trailers down each time but then it is just a clip-board next to the pressure washer. It also only costs about £200 a year so they aren't exactly taking you to the cleaners.