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A new campaign aims to ensure trailer safety when farmers and farm workers are transporting root crops this autumn. Experts from the Tilly Pass... Trailer campaign outlines ‘root’to keeping safe

A new campaign aims to ensure trailer safety when farmers and farm workers are transporting root crops this autumn.

Experts from the Tilly Pass have been working with other industry experts to create a safety group – called the Root to Success – to highlight the importance of root crop carting from the field and from the farm.

The campaign covers all aspects of safe towing – giving farmers and contractors a clear understanding of the rules and the requirement to keep an up-to-date ‘safety portfolio’ available on the farm.

Moving vehicles have been the cause of an average of seven deaths every year on farms over the past five years. Trailers and their brakes should never be overlooked and must be given the same level of attention as the tractor itself.

“It’s essential that operators and uses access the correct safety information to help protect themselves during the root crop carting season,” says Tilly Pass campaign coordinator Jane Gurney.

Risk Assessment

A proper risk assessment of any hazard is an essential part of everyday agriculture. The person making and sharing the assessment must also have the appropriate qualifications, knowledge and experience.

“This should then be part of every business’s safety portfolio,” says engineering safety consultant Steve Simmons-Jacobs.

Inspections and record keeping are required to meet the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regs 1992 (PUWER) regulation 6 along with the new British Standard 14200/2023.

The Tilly Pass Scheme is an accessible way of meeting these requirements with on farm inspection, service and central trailer database. These documents can then be added to your safety portfolio.

Daily checks

Trailer checks should be undertaken daily in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommended procedures. Checks should always be accessed, used and recorded –download the free safety app Head to Tow at tillypass.co.uk

Know your machine

It is vital to know the capacity of the wheel equipment, says Angus Western, managing director at Richard Western trailers. For professional farmers and contractors requiring a flotation tyre, 26.5 rims would be the minimum, he says.

Load security

A loose load poses a danger to other road users and must be restrained. This means loose loads must be sheeted to prevent the load from bouncing off the trailer and endangering other road users.

The only concession is when the load is sat sufficiently low enough in the trailer, to the extent that it is secured by the structure of the vehicle – in other words, the vehicle’s sides, front and rear without the need to cover the load.

DVSA examiners say they will continue to take action when they stop a vehicle or tractor and trailer combination because a load, and the way it is secured (or not), presents a danger to other road users, irrespective of a driver or operator risk assessment.

For full details about the camaign,

please visit tillypass.co.uk

British Sugar backs trailer campaign

The Root to Success campaign has won the backing of British Sugar – which processes some 8 million tonnes of sugar beet transported to its factories every year.

“British Sugar prioritises safety throughout our operations and supply chain, from farm to factory,” said a company spokesperson.

“Every year, we remind hauliers transporting beet loads into the factory of safe load guidance – and work hard to make sure all of our industry partners are aware of any changes.

“We are excited to be part of the Root to Success campaign to help share best practice and make sure we can all look forward to a safe and successful campaign this year.”

Suffolk Police said operators should have a good understanding of the weights and speeds of their tractor and trailer combination, good visibility around the vehicle, a number plate, working lights and an appropriate amber flashing beacon.

“Trailer weights are set at 18.29 tonnes with a tractor not exceeding 12.71 tonnes; this makes a combination of 31 tonnes train weight. A tractor and trailer should not tow faster than 25mph/40kph.

“Trailers should be sheeted if fully loaded or sufficient ullage so the load cannot fall. Items such as sugar beet can cause damage to vehicles or collisions from drivers swerving to avoid when falling off trailers.”

The Farm Safety Foundation’s Little Book of Farm Safety includes a special chapter on transport safety. Issues covered include trailer safety and trailer brakes.

For details, visit www.yellowwellies.org