COISE/25-07 25 July 2008

HSE urges farmers in Kent to properly maintain tractors, trailers and other mobile equipment

Over the last five years farm vehicles and machinery have been the cause of 22 major injuries and four deaths in the county. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is urging farmers in Kent to make sure they are properly maintaining tractors, trailers and other mobile equipment, which is being used both on and off the road during this year’s harvest/cultivation period.

In the next six to eight weeks the HSE, VOSA (Vehicle & Operator Services Agency) and Kent Police will be carrying out random checks of vehicles both in fields and on the roads to ensure they are in a good state of repair and are safe.

HSE will be promoting the use of the BAGMA (British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association) vehicle health check scheme during any spot checks undertaken as part of this campaign in Kent.

Mike Walters, HSE Principal Inspector in Kent says:

"A well maintained vehicle being driven by a competent person should be safe to use both on the farm and on the road.  By adopting the BAGMA vehicle health check scheme, farmers will be able to ensure that their tractors and trailers are maintained in safe working order and are roadworthy.  From our experience, more than 50% of vehicles have been found to be unsafe and taken out of use."

"A basic check can contribute to preventing deaths and suffering of those injured by agricultural vehicles every year."

"I urge all farmers to make sure their tractors, trailers and other mobile equipment are safe to use both on the farm and on the road by doing regular checks on their vehicles; using the vehicle health check scheme and by only using vehicles which are up to the task. We will not hesitate to deal with vehicles that are found to be unsafe, no matter how inconvenient this may be for the duty holder."

Spot checks undertaken by HSE, VOSA and Kent Police, HSE will concentrate on the safe use of agricultural vehicles and equipment both on and off the road.  They will also stop and check compliance of any operators of refuse/skip lorries during this initiative.

Notes to editors:

• Promotion of the vehicle checks is a joint initiative by HSE, VOSA and Kent Police.
• Currently, agricultural vehicles are not required legally to have an MOT test even if they are being used on the public highway; but they must be safe.
• Health and safety legislation requires that vehicles used on farms are maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.  Commonly HSE, VOSA and Kent Police find problems with tyre condition, brakes (including trailer brakes), lights, windows and mirrors.
• HSE, VOSA and Kent Police all have powers to prohibit further use of the vehicle and trailed equipment if they feel there is a serious risk to other road users, farm workers or to the driver.
• HSE has been working with BAGMA with assistance from The National Farmers’ Union, VOSA, the Department for Transport, Association of Chief Police Officers, and some large insurance companies to produce the vehicle health check scheme.

Details of injuries in agriculture are available on the HSE website at - http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/industry/agriculture/index.htm

Details of the BAGMA vehicle health check scheme can be found at - http://www.bagma.com/vehicle_health_check_scheme.htm

Public enquiries:

Call HSE's InfoLine, Tel: 08701 545500,
or write to: HSE InfoLine, Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG.

Press enquiries (Journalists only):

For more information please contact Lisa Browne: 020 7261 8312 or email: lisa.browne@coi.gsi.gov.uk

Issued on behalf of the Health & Safety Executive by COI News & PR (London & South East).