New HSE booklet highlights dangers of working at height in farming

HSE Press Release E218:02 - 25 November 2002

A new "black spot'" report highlighting the dangers of falls from heights in the agricultural industry was launched today by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) at the Royal Smithfield Show. The report shows that in the past ten years, falls from height have claimed 80 lives and is the second largest cause of fatalities in the agricultural sector.

Launching the publication 'Why fall for it? Preventing falls in agriculture', Linda Williams, HSE's Chief Inspector of Agriculture, said:

"HSE has analysed accident statistics and published the findings in this booklet. All too often falls have occurred because risks were not properly assessed and little, or no, safety equipment was used. Many of these accidents occurred during roof work and involved falls through roof sheets and roof lights.

"The fragile nature of many roofing materials is constantly ignored as farmers appear to take chances, risking serious injury and even death. The booklet highlights the importance of selecting and using the correct equipment for carrying out safely any work at height.

"Some fatal accidents and many serious injuries occur because the wrong equipment is used. For example, accidents happen when ladders are used for work which could be done more safely from alternative access equipment such as a scaffold tower or a work platform on a materials handler."

Mrs Williams added:

"I hope this booklet will show people the importance of properly planning the means by which work at height is carried out, and how the use of appropriate equipment can reduce the risk of falling".

Notes to editors

1. The case studies highlighted in the report are all real incidents with sometimes fatal consequences for the people involved. In one incident a farmer died after falling 4 metres through a roof light while carrying out repairs on the barn roof of a neighbouring farm. To reach the area of the tin sheet roof which needed repairing he had to pass a number of roof lights, which had been covered or fenced off. The neighbouring farmer had been passing up materials to him, but had gone to make a drink at the time of the accident. The farmer doing the repairs was found semiconscious beneath a broken roof light and was taken to hospital. He died nine days later from head injuries.

Copies of 'Why fall for it? Preventing falls in agriculture' (INDG369), are available from HSE Books.

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