Agriculture E-bulletin – Issue 4
Welcome to the fourth edition of HSE’s Agriculture E-bulletin.
The aim of the E-bulletin is to provide you with a free regular update of news and information from the Health & Safety Executive, keeping you informed of the latest issues affecting agriculture and it’s associated industries.
Below, you will find brief information on a number of topics or issues, each linking to more detailed articles on our website -simply click on the article's title to read the full text.
We plan on issuing futher E-bulletin’s on a quarterly basis and would also welcome any suggestions/contributions for future articles.
Fatal Injuries in Agriculture 2005/06 – Annual Report
Figures published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in its annual report ‘Fatal Injuries in Farming, Forestry and Horticulture 2005/06’ show that 45 people were killed as a result of farming and other agriculture-related activities in 2005/06.
New guidance - Safe cattle handling equipment
Do you want to make your cattle handling facility safer and more efficient? "Safe Cattle Handling Equipment" is a short guide to the requirements of a safe and efficient handling system. Using makeshift or inappropriate handling equipment not only increases risk of injury to workers but also causes distress to the animals and wastes valuable time. A good handling facility should be seen as a long term investment and this downloadable leaflet lists the main points to consider when designing, updating or evaluating handling systems. The information is based on Agriculture Information Sheet 35 [135kb] but is presented in a concise and itemised format.
Free farm self assessment software
HSE’s free interactive software package has been produced to help farmers carry out a risk assessment of their farms and to raise the levels of health and safety awareness in the industry. The software is aimed at all farmers and farm managers who are responsible for health and safety. It provides a step-by-step route into learning about what farmers need to do to protect their health and safety and to comply with the law.
Arb News
Welcome to the fourth edition of Arb News – a newsletter for those working in the arboriculture industry. Copies of previous editions can also be found by following this link.
Revised guidance – Safe working with bales in agriculture
This revised leaflet could help prevent many of the accidents and much of the ill health associated with working with bales in agriculture. It may also help with other issues such as fire, vandalism and access to land by members of the public. It gives advice on stacking bales as well as how to cover bale stacks, sheeting or netting trailers or lorries, and moving bales safely.
Gangmasters Licensing Authority
The Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) was set up in April 2005 to end the exploitation of workers in the agriculture, horticulture, shellfish-gathering and associated processing and packaging activities.
In April 2006 the GLA began operating a licensing scheme for labour providers (gangmasters) supplying workers into these industries. Because of different employment practices, separate arrangements are required in the shellfish-gathering sector and these come into force in October.
Forestry update
After a successful 1st series of Safety and Health Awareness Days (SHADs) for the forestry industry, three further events are planned at similar locations later in the year. Also, come and visit HSE / AFAG at the APF Show in September.
Agriculture H&S guidance – Free leaflets and information sheets
Click on the above title to access HSE’s suite of free guidance covering a wide-range of agriculture health and safety topics and issues.
Celebrating success – ‘Her Majesty’s Agricultural Inspectorate’ and the ‘Machinery Safety Inspectors’
HSE's Chief Executive, Geoffrey Podger, looks back at the improvement in the industry's health and safety performance and announces two notable anniversaries. It is 60 years since the first agricultural "Machinery Safety Inspectors" were appointed and fifty years Farm Safety Officers were established.
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