Self employed farmers targeted by HSE

A free agricultural health and safety event has been organised by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to target self employed farmers and reduce the number of deaths and injuries in the agricultural workplace.

Taking place on 14th February at Otley Agricultural College in Sussex, the day will feature a range of scenarios illustrating the hazards that cause the majority of injuries in the workplace.

As such manual handling, transport and working at height will be focussed upon during the day.

Malcolm Crowther, HSE Inspector for the East, said: "Whereas the number of fatal accidents to agricultural employees is decreasing, the figure for the self-employed is going up."

He urged every farmer who receives an invitation to the event to attend as it is an opportunity to improve health and safety in their business practices.

According to figures from the HSE, in the East of England 22 people died as a result of an agricultural accidents between 2001 and 2007.

There were also 415 major injuries in the sector.

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