The FCI has urged farm contractors to take a zero-tolerance approach to the sharing of Tik Tok-type tractor motion videos on social media sites during this year’s silage harvest.
The association said it is aware of the “growing problem of mainly younger tractor drivers” in contractor fleets who are breaking the law and putting their lives and the lives of other road users at risk by using smartphones for creating videos while driving tractors.
The association warned that using a handheld mobile phone device while driving any machine is also against the law and is subject to penalty points for the driver.
FCI is advising all contractors to use Bluetooth systems if they must use a mobile phone while driving a machine.
It urges contractors to make sure that all their machines have Bluetooth kits for safety reasons as a priority. It reminded drivers that three penalty points will occur on each occasion of use, which may force some to surrender their licence.
Management issue for farm contractors
“Preventing the use of smartphones to create videos will be a significant management issue for many contractors during the 2021 silage season,” said FCI chief executive Michael Moroney.
“Contractors, as team leaders, need to sit down with their teams in a toolbox talk before the silage harvest. They need to give clear guidance about what is acceptable and what is not in terms of safety and, in particular, the use of mobile phones,” he added.
“At FCI, we are aware of videos being posted to various social media outlets which seem to portray contractor operations during silage harvesting as some form of entertainment,” he added.
“This behaviour undermines the seriousness and operational risks associated with the skill of using high output modern machinery in farm contracting operations.”
“Silage harvesting is a serious business. It functions around high output machines that demand the full concentration of the drivers at all times.”
Farm contractors should sack drivers
“FCI is urging all contractors to fit hands-free kits to all tractors. We are also urging contractors to immediately sack any drivers found to be using their smartphones for recording and publishing work-related videos taken from the tractor seat, to social media outlets.”
“This behaviour endangers themselves, other road users, and is ultimately putting the future of the contracting business at huge risk, as well as adding significantly to insurance claims.”
“There are a number of aspects to the problem. Some videos are merely portraying good operations, while others are showing a lack of driving skills and safety awareness. Others are clearly highly dangerous and tempting fate in an absurd way. All are dangerous,” he added.
“FCI recommends a zero-tolerance approach where drivers, who behave in this way. should be sacked from the contractor’s team with immediate effect,” he added.
FCI has this week messaged over 1,200 contractors on its database and through its WhatsApp Groups and email system to encourage them to take strong action in dealing with this problem.
There are new technology options on the market to block the use of smart phones in tractor cabs.
Fines
FCI has worked with suppliers to establish a practical blocking system for contractor tractors to develop an affordable and seasonal-based solution.
The FCI said all contractors must deal with this serious issue within their own teams.
“Make sure that you have an up-to-date safety statement that includes the points listed below and one that it is signed by all employees on the team,” he added.
“Some contractors have developed management strategies, including fining drivers for video posting, while others retain smartphones in the yard and provide drivers with two-way tractor radios for effective and safer, team communications. All contractors must face the safety challenge by clear direction and team leadership accountability,” he concluded.
