Southport farm safety event follows death and injuries

Date:

01 February 2010

Release No:

HSE/NW/026SHAD Southport

Hundreds of farmers are expected to attend a safety event in Southport this week, after new figures revealed an agricultural worker is seriously injured in Merseyside nearly every fortnight.

The free training day has been organised by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and will offer tips for farmers on staying safe.

One in five work-related deaths is in agriculture, despite only 1.5 percent of the population working in the industry. There was one death and 109 serious injuries in Merseyside during the five years between 2004/5 and 2008/9.

The farm safety event is taking place at Riverside Holiday Park in Banks near Southport on Friday 5 February. Practical safety demonstrations will focus on machine maintenance, handling chemicals and materials, working on fragile roofs and manual handling.

Peter Hamer, HSE Agriculture Inspector in Merseyside, said:

"Every week, someone in the UK dies while working in agriculture. These deaths are needless and most could be prevented by taking simple steps to improve safety.

"We're bringing farmers together from across Merseyside to make them more aware of the risks they face, and hopefully save some lives.

"We'll be providing free practical advice from trained instructors, and encouraging farmers to share their experiences to learn from each other.

"Deaths in agriculture are extremely high, compared to other industries. We need to make sure farmers are doing everything they can to stay safe."

The latest official figures show that 26 workers were killed and another 589 suffered major injuries in farming accidents across Great Britain during 2008/9, including three deaths and 36 major injuries in the North West.

The major causes of deaths involved vehicles, being hit by a moving or falling object, and falls from height. HSE research has found that the majority of farmers make at least one change to improve health and safety as a result of attending a Safety and Health Awareness Day.

Earlier this year HSE launched its 'Make the Promise' farm safety campaign, with the stark message that people are still dying and being injured in needless farm accidents.

As part of the campaign, farmers can request 'Promise Knots' to place around their homes and farms as a simple, but ever-present, reminder of their pledge to come home safe.

More information on the campaign is available at www.hse.gov.uk/makethepromise.

Notes to editors

1. The statistics for agricultural deaths and serious injuries in Merseyside for the five years from 2004/5 to 2008/9, broken down by local authority areas, are listed below:

   Local authority	Deaths	Major non-fatal injuries	Injuries requiring more than three days absence
   Knowsley	1	2	11
   Liverpool	0	6	38
   Sefton	0	7	22
   St Helens	0	2	10
   Wirral	0	2	9
   Merseyside	1	19	90

2. HSE is working closely with the industry to help it reduce the number of work-related deaths and injuries. HSE produces health and safety guidance for farmers, organises free health and safety awareness days, provides information and advice through farm visits, by telephone and at agriculture shows. It also monitors the health and safety performance of the industry and, where necessary, takes enforcement action against employers who endanger lives.

Press enquiries

Regional reporters should call the appropriate Regional News Network press office.

Issued on behalf of HSE by COI News and PR North West