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ARTICLE · 18 SEPTEMBER 2014

Death By Hay Bale

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HSE reports indicate at least 27 deaths related to baling and bale handling since 2000, including 18 caused by falling bales.

United KingdomEmployment and HR

HSE reports indicate at least 27 deaths related to baling and bale handling since 2000, including 18 caused by falling bales. Many more have been injured, but the total number is unknown. The baling season may soon be over but the need to be aware of the risks does not stop once the bales are collected from the field.

Incidents tend to occur during baling and transport, stacking and handling, but the simple presence of bales stacked in fields is not without its dangers: round bales can roll down slopes causing deaths and passersby have been known to climb on them, causing toppling. Contact with overhead power lines due to stacks being under or too close to power lines or when bales are being moved is not uncommon. Incidents involving falling bales occur regularly when bales are being moved.

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