Thirsk Racecourse event targets high-risk workers

Safety training is being offered at Thirsk Racecourse for agricultural workers, the industry with the highest risk of injury.

The Health and Safety Executive is organising the event in conjunction with Lantra, the land-based environmental sector's skills council.

One of its inspectors, Graham Watson, says the safety training will aim to address the key issues which lead to the most accidents in these environments.

Working at height, manual handling and the control of substances such as pesticides will be among the topics covered by the event.

Mr Watson claims advice offered in a relaxed environment from people experienced in their field can be effective.

He says: "Only by them doing this will they begin to prevent the deaths, injuries and family suffering which occur in farming each year."

The day will be held on November 18th at the racecourse.

In recent related news, Cumbrian farmers were being targeted with health and safety awareness events aimed at reducing the region's accident rate.