HSE calls to improve safety in agricultural sector
July 7, 2008
Farm safety needs to be improved through skills training, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has stated.
Recent HSE provisional statistics show that 39 agricultural workers were killed in 2007-08.
HSE non-executive board member Judith Donovan's called for focus on "training and competencies" to improve farm safety while speaking at the Royal Show.
Ms Donovan said that while the industry accounts for only 1.7 per cent of Britain's workforce, it accounts for "a massive 16 per cent of the fatal injuries to workers".
HSE has launched new vocational qualifications for health and safety in the sector, with Ms Donovan presenting certificates at the Royal Show for those who have completed them.
Ms Donovan noted the "devastating effects" of farm incidents on children, relatives, the public and farm productivity.
Participants in a safety awareness day held by the HSE in Shetland recently heard of the need for child protection on farms.
Using a dummy, advisers demonstrated how easily children can fall from tractor windows and be squashed by towed machinery.
The HSE said it would enforce legislation forbidding children under 13 being on tractors.
Recent HSE provisional statistics show that 39 agricultural workers were killed in 2007-08.
HSE non-executive board member Judith Donovan's called for focus on "training and competencies" to improve farm safety while speaking at the Royal Show.
Ms Donovan said that while the industry accounts for only 1.7 per cent of Britain's workforce, it accounts for "a massive 16 per cent of the fatal injuries to workers".
HSE has launched new vocational qualifications for health and safety in the sector, with Ms Donovan presenting certificates at the Royal Show for those who have completed them.
Ms Donovan noted the "devastating effects" of farm incidents on children, relatives, the public and farm productivity.
Participants in a safety awareness day held by the HSE in Shetland recently heard of the need for child protection on farms.
Using a dummy, advisers demonstrated how easily children can fall from tractor windows and be squashed by towed machinery.
The HSE said it would enforce legislation forbidding children under 13 being on tractors.
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