Farmers are being reminded they must change their attitude towards safety as the Health and Safety Executive readies itself for a wave of inspections in the coming months.
Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will visit farms across England, Scotland and Wales as part of a push to change the culture in the industry and check for compliance with long standing legal requirements.
People on farms are 21 times more likely to be killed in a workplace accident than other sectors. In total, there have been 161 deaths on Britain’s farms over the last five years – an average of 26 people each year. This includes members of the public and children.
The visits, from the end of October to next April, will focus on the main causes of death in farming, including working with cattle, operating and maintaining vehicles and falls from height.
They will also look at risks to members of the public, which often means the management of cattle around public rights of way, as well as child safety on the farm.
The HSE plans to carry out 440 visits during the campaign.
For help and advice on putting a health and safety system in place, please contact our Health & Safety team on 01981 590514 or visit Agricultural Health & Safety Help Service | CXCS
