Somerset farmers get lifesaving advice on farm dangers

Date:

13 August 2010

Release No:

829/SWW/10

Hundreds of farmers from Somerset today received potentially lifesaving advice on dealing with the dangers of working in agriculture.

Around 350 local farmers attended the free safety and health awareness day at Brymore School of Technology in Cannington, near Bridgwater.

Recent figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reveal that 38 agricultural workers died in Britain last year - making farming the country's most dangerous occupation. One in five of all work-related deaths is in agriculture, despite the fact that only 1.5 percent of the population work in the industry.

The event includes practical safety demonstrations which will focus on six farming-related activities: quad bikes; machinery maintenance; roof and height work; manual handling; livestock handling, and telehandlers.

The demonstrations will include trainers enacting various scenarios, hints and tips and discussions about safety risks.

Speaking at the event was the new HSE agricultural champion, Sandy Blair, who has lived in farming communities most of his life. He highlighted HSE's commitment to reducing the number of injuries and fatalities in the agricultural industry.

Sandy 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.

"Modern agriculture of course still requires very hard work over long hours, but it doesn't need to be the most dangerous occupation in Britain. It is time for the sector to include the safety and better health of its people amongst its primary aims.

"Events like today coupled with the commitment by industry stakeholders such as the NFU to lead the way are critical to our mutual vision for a modern, safe and profitable agricultural industry."

Scott Philips, a HSE safety adviser who organised the event, said:

"The fact that 350 local farms have been represented at today's event, despite it being harvest time, is a strong indication that the agriculture sector is genuinely committed to improving farm safety.

"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, so we hope that today's event will have a positive impact on the reduction of incidents in agriculture."

HSE's Make the Promise: Come Home Safe campaign is seeking to end the needless death and suffering on British farms.

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. 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.
2. HSE is Britain's national regulator for workplace safety and health. It aims to reduce injuries and illness in the workplace.
3. In agriculture there were 38 fatal injuries in 2009/10 with a corresponding rate of 8.2 deaths per 100 000 workers. This compares to a rate of 8.7 when an average of the previous five years is examined. Thus the rate for 2009/10 is 6% below the average for the previous five years.

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