The most harmful gas in the industry of farming is hydrogen sulphide, and the biggest misconception is that it won’t affect farmers or their live stock if they are in an open space, but they are wrong! Albeit there is a higher percentage of risk when in a confined space mixing slurry, however it does not mean that it cannot be deadly when mixing in an open field…

The slurry season runs every February, slurry gas is toxic and combustible, and it is made up of methane (CH4), ammonia (NH3), carbon dioxide (C02) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S). Out of those gases, H2S is the most harmful to humans and animals and over the years, incidents involving slurry mixing have claimed hundreds of lives both of farmers and livestock, this is due to farmers not realising the dangers of this gas and the harm it can cause when breathed in. If it hasn’t caused any deaths before, then it never will, right?

Slurry gas is heavier than air and during mixing will settle just over the top of the slurry, therefore anyone bending down into the settlement or animals that get too close as their airways are lower than humans, can cause unconsciousness. H2S rapidly displaces air from the lungs and affects the nervous system, which results in collapse and inevitably death. Please see this information brochure explaining the dangers of H2S, how to avoid it and also how to mix slurry correctly and safely. In the brochure, it explains that monitors need to be calibrated and bump tested, this is essential to guarantee the sensors are registering correctly and efficiently. We also supply disposable monitors which do not require calibration, for more information on this please call us on 01704330315 or email us at sales@pointsafety.com.

Fortunately, in order to detect this gas, it is as simple as owning a portable, light weight, clip on hydrogen sulphide gas monitor. You can buy yours here, this monitor will go into alarm when hydrogen sulphide is present at an unsafe level to humans, which is the signal to ventilate and evacuate the area.