HSE Press Release E209:02 - 31 October 2002
A recent horrific accident which caused the death of two agricultural workers has prompted the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to issue a warning stressing the need to ensure risks associated with rope-winding operations have been properly assessed.
The above incident occurred at a farm which was growing products under polytunnels, over which plastic sheeting was secured by lengths of rope.
The rope was wound on to a motorised wind-up unit and the two workers became entangled around the shaft. Specific details of the incident cannot be released at this stage of the investigation.
This warning is directed primarily at those engaged in work in the agricultural sector. However, HSE stresses the need for anybody whose work requires winding ropes, or other materials, onto a shaft under power, to assess the safety of the operation. In particular, consideration should be given to who is at risk of injury, what - if any - safety devices are fitted to the machine to prevent entanglement, whether the operators have been properly trained and whether the machinery has been maintained in good order.
If there is any doubt as to the safety of the equipment or the operation, users are encouraged to seek advice from the machine manufacturers or their local HSE office.
All enquiries from journalists should be directed to the HSE Press Office
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