Event to help East Sussex farmers avoid death and injury

Date:

22 February 2011

Release No:

COISE/2202

Farmers across East-Sussex are being encouraged to attend a free half-day event later this month in a bid to reduce the number of death and injuries in Britain's most dangerous industry.

Although only around 1.5 per cent of the working population is employed in agriculture, it accounted for one in four work-related deaths in 2009/10. During this period, there was one fatality and 86 major injuries reported in the South East.

The event organised by HSE will feature practical safety demonstrations focused on common causes of injury and ill-health in agriculture. Sessions will cover the likes of quad biking, transport and machine maintenance (including tractor equipment and trailer brakes), safe working at height, chemical use and manual handling. The demonstrations will also include hints and tips on simple and cheap precautions that can be taken to keep farmers, their families, agricultural workers and members of the public safe.

Mike Walters, HSE Principal 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.

"This event will be an excellent opportunity for local farmers to get practical advice on how to take action to avoid people being killed, injured or taken ill on their farm. Over the years HSE has run many of these events 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 change to keep up with developments in the industry, so there are invaluable insights to take away."

The event will take place on Thursday 24 February 2011 at Plumpton College in Lewes. The two half-day sessions will help ensure the messages can be communicated to as many local farmers as possible.

Notes to editors

1. The two half day events take place on 24 February 2011 at: Plumpton College, Ditchling Road, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 3AE.
2. Further details on accidents in agriculture can be found at: www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/industry/agriculture/index.htm
3. Guidance specific to the agricultural industry can be found at: www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/index.htm
4. 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

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Issued on behalf of HSE by COI News & PR South East