A Lancashire farmer who badly cut his hand in an agricultural accident is giving his support to a national safety campaign.
David Coar, 44, from Yew Tree Farm in Livesey near Darwen, injured his hand last year on a tractor fork while he was lifting out bales of silage.
Farmer David Coar in front of the tractor fork that injured him, with HSE Principal Inspector for Agriculture Mike Calcutt
Now he is urging other farmers to think more about their safety as part of the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) 'Make the Promise' campaign, with the stark message that people are still dying and being injured in needless farm accidents.
One in five work-related deaths is in agriculture, despite only 1.5 percent of the population working in the industry. During the past five years, two people were killed and another 132 were seriously injured in farming accidents in Lancashire.
As part of the HSE 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.
Mr Coar, who lives on the 125-acre family-owned farm with his wife Laura and their daughter, said:
"I think the Health and Safety Executive's campaign is a good idea as farmers work long hours so it's important they're reminded how vital their safety is.
"I've lived and worked on the farm all my life so I know what most of the risks are, but every now and then you let your guard down and that's when accidents can happen.
"I cut my hand on the teeth of a tractor fork while I was lifting out bales of silage into sheep troughs. Luckily it's ok now but it could have been a lot worse.
"It takes me a bit longer to feed the sheep now as I put the bales in a trailer before lifting them out. But it's definitely worth spending a few extra minutes to make sure I can feed them safely."
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.
More than 1,100 farmers in the region have already signed up to the Make the Promise campaign, and more are now being encouraged to do the same.
Mike Calcutt, HSE's Principal Inspector for Agriculture in the North West, said:
"I hope more farmers will now sign up to our campaign and make the promise to come home safe, not only for themselves but also for their families.
"Most people would admit to losing concentration, being distracted or taking seemingly harmless shortcuts at work. But there are situations where mistakes like these can lead to horrific accidents and injuries that last forever.
"For farmers, especially, the result can be deadly. I'm glad Mr Coar wasn't more seriously injured by the tool he was using and that he has now changed how he lifts bales of silage, despite it taking extra time to feed his sheep.
"It simply isn't worth trying to make shortcuts if it results in farmers having to take time off to recover from an injury, or even suffering a permanent disability.
"We're here to offer farmers training, support and guidance on how to keep themselves and their workers safe. I'd much rather be doing that then visiting farmers and their families after someone has been killed or horrifically injured."
More information on the Make the Promise campaign is available at www.hse.gov.uk/makethepromise.
1. The statistics for agricultural deaths and serious injuries in Lancashire 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackburn | 0 | 2 | 5 |
| Blackpool | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Burnley | 0 | 6 | 9 |
| Chorley | 0 | 1 | 7 |
| Fylde | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Hyndburn | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Lancaster | 1 | 6 | 9 |
| Pendle | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Preston | 0 | 2 | 12 |
| Ribble Valley | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Rossendale | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| South Ribble | 0 | 5 | 7 |
| West Lancashire | 1 | 16 | 24 |
| Wyre | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Lancashire | 2 | 47 | 85 |
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.
Regional reporters should call the appropriate Regional News Network press office.
Issued on behalf of HSE by COI News and PR North West
Regional reporters should call the appropriate Regional News Network press office who act as HSE's Press Office throughout Great Britain.
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