Farmers urged not to misuse telehandlers

Date:

25 June 2010

Release No:

YH/178/10

Farmers are being reminded not to use the buckets of telehandlers to drive in fencing posts.

The warning follows a rise in the number of serious incidents where buckets have come loose from the main telescopic arm upon impact with a post, and struck people underneath.

Although telehandlers are versatile pieces of equipment, they do have limitations and are not designed to be used to drive in fencing posts. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is advising that all users should only operate the machinery within the confines of manufacturer instructions.

Just last month (May) a farm worker in central Scotland badly injured a leg when he was struck by a falling bucket, whilst two people were killed in separate incidents less than three weeks apart in North Yorkshire last September.

HSE inspector Jean Edgar, who is investigating the latest incident in Scotland said: "Farm machinery should only be used for its intended purpose. Misusing equipment like telehandlers can lead to terrible tragedy.

"Where HSE identifies dangerous working practices like this, where safety guidance is blatantly ignored, we will not hesitate to take enforcement action."

Further information about the safe use of agricultural machinery can be found on the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture

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

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