European Week for Safety and Health at Work
Monday 31st October 2011
The European Week for Safety and Health at Work took place in the last week of October 2011. The initiative is part of the pan-European Healthy Workplaces Campaign for 2010-2011 which aims to promote safe and healthy workplaces by encouraging an integrated and structured approach to maintenance. The campaign is coordinated by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA).
Cutting the number of deaths and serious injuries in the farming industry is a key focus for rural insurers.
Recent figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that agriculture is the leading sector for fatalities and major injuries.
In 2009/2010 there were four deaths in the industry in Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset, as well as 72 major injuries and 113 non-fatal injuries in the South-West region alone. The most common causes included being run over, vehicle overturning, falling from height, being hit by moving or falling objects, drowning or asphyxiation, contact with machinery or livestock, being trapped by something or contact with electricity.
Where an employee is killed or injured at work, the HSE can instigate a criminal prosecution. There is also the potential for a negligence claim against the farmer or landowner.
Farmers and landowners in the Westcountry should have the right insurance cover in place to indemnify them against their legal liabilities, in the event of a death or serious injury. Although it is not compulsory, it is advisable to have suitable public liability cover in place. Employer's liability cover, however, is a compulsory insurance.
Ashfords' Personal Injury Team has extensive experience in all areas of personal injury claims, ranging from accidents on public property or at work to road traffic accidents and clinical negligence. If you have had a claim made against you and would like to discuss your options, please contact Flora Wood, Partner, on 01392 334020.
Ashfords LLP is Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. The information in this note is intended to be general information about English law only and not comprehensive. It is not to be relied on as legal advice nor as an alternative to taking professional advice relating to specific circumstances. Links to other sites and resources provided by third parties are included for your information only. We have no control over the content and accept no responsibility for them
