HSE aims to reduce agricultural accidents at work

22/09/2011

An upcoming event will aim to reduce the number of accidents at work that take place in the UK's agricultural industry every year.

Hosted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the event in Inverurie on Tuesday October 4th is being held as part of a Health and Safety Day, which is intended to alert farmers and other staff in the sector to the dangers of working in agriculture.

According to HSE data, between 40 and 50 workers are killed on British farms every year, despite there being less than 1.5 per cent of the population working in the industry, and so the event will include practical demonstrations on how to avoid accidents and subsequent injury claims.

These demonstrations include workplace transport, machine safety, working at height, handling livestock, safe lifting, and working with chemicals.

Eddie Marshall, HM principal inspector with the HSE, noted that many farmers are self-employed or run small family businesses, so the watchdog wants to make sure they are not putting themselves and their staff at risk with poor health and safety.

"It's an alarming statistic that farmers are ten times more likely than most workers to be killed while at work. I'd encourage them to give up half a day of their time to come along to the event in Inverurie," he added.

Posted by Wayne Weir ADNFCR-2070-ID-800737362-ADNFCR