AGRICULTURE HEALTH AND SAFETY SUMMIT
WORKING TOGETHER - SAFE FARMS FOR THE FUTURE

HSE press release E239-03 - 1 December 2003

Des Browne, Minister of State for Work will be the keynote speaker at the agricultural health and safety summit in Oxford on 8 January 2004. Lord Whitty, Minister for Farming, Food and Sustainable Energy, will also address the summit.

This is a major opportunity for stakeholders in agriculture and the food chain to work with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Health and Safety Commission (HSC) to achieve lasting improvements in farm health and safety standards. We need the active support of everyone associated with farming.

Leaders of organisations with the potential to influence and incentivise farmers have been invited to the summit to:

• learn more about the main ways in which people lose their lives on farms;
• learn more about how HSE seeks to protect people and reduce risks in agriculture;
• hear about new strategies and approaches for tackling the problems; and
• contribute ideas, support and commitment for future work towards safer farming.

Roger Nourish, HSE's Chief Inspector of Agriculture, said:

"Over the past 17 years the incident rate for fatal injuries among employees has gradually declined. This needs driving down further, but the particular challenge now is to reduce the incident rate in the self-employed sector which has seen consistently higher rates and a rising trend over the same period.

Engaging with the widest possible range of stakeholders who have the potential to influence the industry to better manage farm health and safety will help achieve this. This is not just important for farmers, workers and their families. It is also an essential ingredient in developing a modern, sustainable and productive agricultural industry which everyone connected with the industry wants to see."

The event, hosted by HSE and HSC, takes place in Oxford the day after the annual Farming Conference, at the same venue. Participants at the summit will include: top representatives of organisations in the farming industry; trade unions and associations; those involved in supplying, educating and financing the industry; and those involved with delivering farm products to consumers.

Editor's Notes

1. The Agriculture Health and Safety Summit will take place at the Examination Schools, High Street, Oxford on 8 January 2004.

2. Over 400 people have been killed as a result of agricultural activities in Great Britain in the last 10 years.

3. It is estimated that agricultural accidents in Great Britain cost society around £122m in 2002/03. A non-fatal farm accident can cost up to £16,000.

4. The main causes of agricultural accidents are: transport and machinery; falling objects; and falls.

5. In broad terms, over the last 15 years to 2000/2001 the fatal incidence rate for employees in the industry has halved, while that for the self-employed has doubled.

Press enquiries

All enquiries from journalists should be directed to the HSE Press Office