OvertheCounter
    Twitter LinkedIn
    • Email Newsletters
    • Magazine Subscriptions
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    Twitter LinkedIn
    CPD Log-In
    OvertheCounter
    • News
      • Dairy / Beef
      • Sheep
      • Pigs / Poultry
      • Equine
      • Companion
      • Retail
      • Training
    • Magazines
      1. May 2025
      2. March 2025
      3. January 2025
      4. November 2024
      5. September 2024
      6. July 2024
      Featured

      Over the Counter – May 2025

      By Simon KingMay 19, 2025
      Recent

      Over the Counter – May 2025

      May 19, 2025

      Over the Counter – March 2025

      March 19, 2025

      Over the Counter – January 2025

      January 13, 2025
    • CPD Training
      • AMTRA CPD Modules
        • Frontline Academy
        • Companion Animal CPD Modules
        • Equine CPD modules
        • Livestock CPD Modules
        • Poultry CPD Modules
        • Are you a Gold Standard SQP?
      • VETPOL CPD Modules
        • Companion Animal CPD Modules
        • Livestock CPD Modules
        • Poultry CPD Modules
      • Earning CPD points with overthecounter.news
      • CPD Log-In
      • Wormstock 2023
    • National SQP Awards
    OvertheCounter
    News

    Stack attacks or falling bales – how to reduce your liability

    mmBy Simon KingSeptember 9, 2024No Comments3 Mins Read
    LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email

    Farmers are being urged to take precautions and follow a few simple steps to reduce exposure to accidental damage or injury caused by falling straw or hay stacks, as well as fire risks as a result of malicious intent.

    “The first consideration should be to make sure appropriate signage is in place,” said Nigel Wellings, director of Acres Insurance Brokers.

    “The Health & Safety Executive will insist on, and expect you to have, danger signs around stacks, warning of the risk of falling bales.”

    According to Mr Wellings, there is however a growing conundrum for farmers, balancing key priorities focused on health and safety requirements, with minimising fire risks caused by a criminal element.

    “We are already witnessing a number of malicious fires this season, so clearly the focus is to move hay and straw stacks as soon as possible, and to do so you need easy access to them,” he said.

    “It is quite natural, therefore, that these bales are stacked near to farm roads so they can be moved quickly, but this in turn opens up more opportunity for those with malicious intentions to start fires. Our advice is to get the bales back to the main base or building as quickly as possible.”

    Mr Wellings also advised that the majority of insurance companies will also impose stack limits on the value they will insure, on any one stack, often around £25,000 to £30,000.

    “Farmers need to be aware and check with the insurance provider what their individual stack limit is, as well as checking the safety of these stacks,” he said.

    Rights of way
    A key safety point to consider, is keeping stacks away from rights of way, or other areas where the public may have close proximity.

    Mr Wellings flagged up one incident where, although not by a right of way, a local ploughing match was taking place, with many attendees with vintage tractors and small ploughs, driving close by a neighbouring field with a large straw stack.

    Fortunately, nothing happened at the time, but after the ploughing match, the headland next to the stack was being combined, and bales from the eight-bale high stack came down, writing the combine header off, and trapping the combine driver in his cab temporarily.

    “While the resulting damage was covered, had that happened when the vintage tractors went by, it could have been a very different and tragic outcome,” Mr Wellings warned.

    It is also important to remember that weather will have an impact on the bales, and if heavy rain is soaked up, it could mean stacks that were previously perfectly stable, could soon become unsafe, start leaning and eventually falling.

    “We also now see a growing number of bale chasers, hydraulically stacking bales from the trailer. These often tend not to be as safe as those stacked by a telescopic loader, so more care needs to be taken,” added Mr Wellings.

    “This again highlights the importance of placing ‘danger’ signs around stacks, it is not just a box ticking exercise. Even if the stacks are stored in a building, there needs to be appropriate signage on display on the outside of that building.”

    Finally, Mr Wellings reminded operators to avoid parking machinery next to the stack, due to the potential of the machinery being taken out if someone were to maliciously set fire to the stack, but also to avoid accidental damage from any falling bales.

    “It is all a bit of a reminder, and of course, every farmer needs to consider their own circumstances, but following these simple steps can help reduce your risks,” he said.

    Share. LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Email
    Previous ArticleMeirion Davies & Co celebrate 60 years at the heart of the local agri community
    Next Article Three-quarters of dog owners fail to recognise early warning signs that could prevent dog bites
    mm
    Simon King

    Editor - Over The Counter. Simon has more than 20 years’ experience in B2B publishing. When not slumped over his PC, Simon is a keen follower of sport, supporting Manchester United, and is at his absolute happiest watching most sport in glorious UHD, with something cold to drink by his side.

    Read Similar Stories

    Royal Canin enters pet supplement market with science-backed range for dogs

    Bluetongue Movements Checker tool launched to support farmers

    New study suggests layering rugs may impact horse stride length

    Most Read

    Royal Canin enters pet supplement market with science-backed range for dogs

    July 3, 2025

    Bluetongue Movements Checker tool launched to support farmers

    July 2, 2025

    New study suggests layering rugs may impact horse stride length

    July 1, 2025

    Any animal medicine advertising or promotion should conform to the ‘code of practice’ of the National Office of Animal Health (NOAH).
    For full details contact the publisher or www.noah.co.uk.

    Lewis Business Media Ltd endeavours to make articles and statements as accurate as possible.

    © 2025 Lewis Business Media. All Rights Reserved.
    Lewis Business Media, Suite A, Arun House, Office Village, River Way, Uckfield, TN22 1SL

    Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions

    The OTC "tick" mechanism is the copyright of Lewis Business Media Ltd ©2025

    • Pet Business World
    • Pest

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
    Cookie SettingsAccept All
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    SAVE & ACCEPT
    Powered by CookieYes Logo