Health and Safety challenge for farmers

Anyone who has worked in farming knows there are countless inherent dangers; from heavy machinery and long hours to dealing with large animals.

Now figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show a rise in work-related injuries and fatalities in the agricultural sector.

The figures for 2009/10 reveal that the fatality rate has risen from 25 to 38 in the last year - an increase on the previous five-year average of 37.

These statistics are particularly poignant when the businesses involved are small and founded upon close family and community ties.

It is the nature of farming that work can involve long hours in isolation, using  potentially dangerous machinery and handling large animals. Inevitably, farm workers are more vulnerable to accidents than those in many other industries. Another factor to consider is the age of farmers - the average farmer is now considerably older than 50.

While most other industries have made real gains over the past 20 years, the agricultural sector appears to be lagging  behind. The report show there were 8.7 fatalities per 100,000 workers over the previous five years in farming compared with just 0.7 per 100,000 across all other industries. The HSE says that if you are a man working in agriculture you are two and a half times more likely to die at work than you are in a car accident.

As the winter months approach, farmers should take particular care to adapt their working practices to the risks which may arise, and remind themselves that even practices which have become the habit of a lifetime can be improved.

The HSE has launched its "Come Home Safe" campaign which highlights the number of unnecessary deaths in farming and encourages those in the agricultural sector to 'make the promise' to improve their practices. Those who sign up to the campaign are encouraged to tie coloured knots around their farm to remind those involved in the business to stay safe.

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