HSE/E/49/08 4 February 2008

Farmers from Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk targeted in agricultural safety event

Self employed farmers in Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk are being targeted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in an effort to reduce the number of farm workers killed and injured each year.

The free event taking place on Thursday 14 February at Otley Agricultural College in Suffolk, is the latest in a series of agricultural safety awareness days being run throughout the East.

The most recent figures show that Agriculture continues to be one of the most hazardous industries to work in. In the East of England 22 people died as a result of an agricultural accident and there were 415 major injuries in the sector from 2001/02 – 2006/07.

Scenarios will feature on those issues that cause the majority of injuries and ill health including transport, falls from height and manual handling. Each scenario will highlight the risks involved and give practical demonstrations on how these risks can be eliminated or reduced to acceptable levels.

HSE Inspector Malcolm Crowther for the East said: "Whereas the number of fatal accidents to agricultural employees is decreasing, the figure for the self-employed is going up. Any farmer receiving an invitation to this event should treat it as a welcome opportunity to improve health and safety in their business and make every effort to attend.

"The HSE is working in partnership with very experienced, well-qualified trainers from LANTRA in running this event and together we aim to provide practical solutions to the health and safety challenges that face farmers."

Notes to editors

1. It is hoped up to a maximum of 400 people will attend the event.
2. Similar events focussing on agricultural, arboriculture and the woodworking industries have been run by the HSE over the last few years. They have been particularly successful in attracting small businesses to learn of the health and safety risks they face every day at work.
3. There may still be a few places left – contact Sandra Crammond 01603 828000
4. Information on health and safety and the agricultural sector is available on the HSE website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/index.htm
5. For further details of latest HSE statistics in the East of England, see the Summary of statistics of occupational ill health, safety and enforcement 2006/07 at http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/regions/east/index.htm

Press enquiries

For more information please contact John Stevenson on 01223 372790.

Public enquiries

HSE’s InfoLine 0845 345 0055
Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG

HSE information and news releases can be accessed on the Internet www.hse.gov.uk

Issued on behalf of HSE by Government News Network East.