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HSE Campaign to Raise Farm Safety Standards
4th November 2011
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are campaigning to improve safety standards in the agricultural industry, as recent statistics show it is the most dangerous sector for UK workers.
High Levels of Work-Related Injuries and Fatalities
Although the agricultural industry only makes up around 1.5% of the people employed in the UK, it accounts for approximately 20 - 25% of fatal accidents at work.
It is not only employees that are susceptible to injuries on farms, there were 8 reported cases of fatal injuries to members of the public during the year 2010/2011, including 3 children under the age of 16.
The farming industry also has a high incidence of non-fatal accidents, 1,061 in 2010/2011 alone. Many of these involved serious injuries such as fractures and amputations and this figure does not take into account any accidents that go unreported.
While some other high risk industries, such as construction, have seen drops in the numbers of workplace accidents over recent years, farming has seen little improvement. The chair of the HSE, Julia Hackitt, has described the statistics showing the high levels of accidents as ‘not acceptable’.
Health and Safety
Farm workers often have to contend with long hours and harsh conditions and the dangers of working with heavy machinery, mechanical equipment, farm vehicles, large animals and hazardous substances such as pesticides. Other areas of concern are lone working and falls from height.
Business owners have a duty to their employees and visitors to ensure that their premises and equipment are in safe condition and that staff are appropriately trained on how to carry out their work correctly and safely. Though there are some unique health and safety rules for farming, the basic requirements for a safe place of work, safe plant and equipment and risk assessment apply to a farm as they apply to a factory or any workplace.
The HSE is working closely with Unite the Union and the National Farmers Union (NFU) to raise standards of health and safety on farms. The Make the Promise campaign aims to prevent people dying in needless accidents by promoting awareness of the hazards faced by agricultural workers and providing practical advice and training on how to work safely and reduce the risk of personal injury.
Accident Claim Advice
If you or a member of your family has suffered an accident on a farm, or any other accident caused by the negligence of someone else, you may be entitled to make a personal injury claim.
Contact The Legal Line on 0800 0328511, or by completing a claim enquiry form online, for cost-free, confidential accident claim advice from our specialist personal injury lawyers.
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