Agriculture E-bulletin – Issue No. 7 (April 2008)
Welcome to the 7th 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 or to access the linked documents.
We plan to issue further E-bulletin’s on a biannual basis and welcome any suggestions/contributions for future articles
Farm self assessment software – Revised version now available
HSE has developed this free interactive software to help farmers carry out a comprehensive health and safety assessment of their farms and to raise the levels of health and safety awareness in the industry. It is aimed at all farmers and farm managers who are responsible for health and safety. Originally produced in 2005, the software and question set has been revised and a new version launched in April 2008 (version number 3.2.2).
Transport safety - a seasonal reminder
The increase in transport activity over the summer traditionally brings an increase in fatal and serious accidents, many of which could be avoided at little or no cost. Parking brakes on tractors are crucial, but recent research suggests about one in eight are defective. They are easy to check and generally simple to adjust - do it now before you get too busy with harvest!
Child safety – Learning from tragedy
You may have heard that in February this year HSE prosecuted a father for the death of his 12 year old son. It is not a case that was brought lightly, but after great consideration. The legal circumstances and the avoidable nature of the child’s death meant that HSE was obliged to enforce law that is designed to protect children.
Guarding of agriculture machinery
A recent accident to a farmer’s daughter, who suffered severe injury while attempting to clear a roller mill, serves as a timely reminder that the farming industry should not be complacent about machinery guarding.
Falls from height – ‘Shattered Lives’
Agricultural work carries an above-average risk of falling accidents. Farming, forestry and horticulture employ about 1% of the national workforce but continue to account for more than 13% of the fatal falls, which emphasises that this must remain high on the list of farming risks to be managed.
Transport conference
The importance of maintaining brakes - on new as well as older tractors and trailers - was emphasised at a recent major national conference, convened by the Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE), together with HSE, Department for Transport, the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA) and the British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association (BAGMA). This timely and successful conference was attended by over 100 people representing manufacturers, importers and suppliers of tractors, trailers and trailed equipment, as well as farmers, contractors, Advisers and others.
Migrant Workers – HSE launches new website
HSE’s new migrant workers website is designed to provide essential information, guidance and advice on workplace health and safety for workers from overseas and their employers. The web pages have been specifically developed to explain how health and safety law protects those working here from overseas. They also provide essential guidance on the roles and responsibilities of employers and workers under British health and safety law. Some parts of the site are available in several languages.
Bluetongue vaccination: Farmers urged to take care
DEFRA has produced a contingency plan outlining a Bluetongue (BT) control strategy for the UK, including a BT vaccination plan. It is anticipated that vaccine will be available in May 2008. Farmers and other livestock handlers who are likely to vaccinate their stock against BT are advised to follow safe working practices in order to reduce the risk of injury or ill health to themselves or other workers arising during vaccination activities.
Management of health and safety on golf courses - and similar workplaces
The Greenkeeper's Training Committee (GTC) in association with HSE has updated the booklet ‘Health & Safety in Golf Course Management’. It provides useful guidance for employers, managers, clients and anyone using specialist turfcare and agricultural-type equipment as well as pesticides in similar situations, e.g. contractors working in the ever-expanding amenity/leisure/sports sector, as well as landscapers, local authorities, highways maintenance/ construction companies, etc. The guide can be purchased or downloaded (free of charge) from GTC's website.
Risk assessment example – Poultry farm
HSE has prepared an example risk assessment for a poultry farm which is intended to help small and medium sized producers and growers to complete their own assessments by showing them what an acceptable one could look like.
Agriculture health and safety guidance – Free leaflets and information sheets
HSE’s suite of free guidance covering a wide-range of agriculture health and safety topics and issues.
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