Lanarkshire farm safety event aims to cut deaths

Date:

15 November 2010

Release No:

SCO/198/10

Farmers from across Lanarkshire are encouraged to attend a free half day event this week for practical advice in dealing with the dangers of working in agriculture.

The latest figures released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that the sector is still one of the most dangerous in Great Britain. Eight agricultural workers died in Scotland in 2009/2010, and a further 78 major injuries were reported.

The two half day events, organised by HSE, will feature practical safety demonstrations focusing on the daily hazards which farm workers face, such as tractor safety, child safety, powered take-off shaft safety, working at height, manual handling, handling livestock and trailer braking and maintenance.

The demonstrations will be delivered by qualified trainers from LANTRA and will include hints and tips on simple and low cost precautions that can be taken to keep farmers, their families, agricultural workers and members of the public safe.

Advisors from the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives will be present at the event to provide practical face to face advice on any issues related to occupational health, safety and wellbeing.

Katie Dunlop, HSE Inspector, said:

"Proportionately, there are more work-related deaths in agriculture than any other sector. Each one is a tragedy for a family, for a business and for the industry as a whole.

"The events in Lanark will provide an excellent opportunity for local farmers to get practical advice on how to take action to avoid people being killed, injured or made ill on their farm. HSE has run many of these events over the years, and farmers who have attended them have told us that they found them helpful and worthwhile.

"Even if you have been to a similar event in the past, I'd still like to encourage farmers and agricultural workers to come along, as the topics covered are changed frequently to keep up with developments in the industry. Attendance at the event will also show that you're committed to health and safety and assure us that you are a lower priority for inspection."

The free events will take place at Lawrie and Symington Limited, Lanark Agricultural Centre, Hyndford Road, Lanark, ML11 9AX on Thursday 18 November, with one running from 09:15-12:00 and the other from 12:45-15:30.

Notes to editors

1. The Health and Safety Executive is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice; promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice; and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. www.hse.gov.uk
2. Lantra is the UK Sector Skills Council for land-based and environmental industries.
3. Farmers can get general health & safety information at www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture

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Issued on behalf of HSE by COI News and PR (Scotland)