Making farming a safer occupation will be top of the agenda at an NFU and Health and Safety Executive-backed summit later this month.
The event follows June's NFU Council meeting, at which HSE chairman Judith Hackitt presented the annual workplace fatality statistics. They showed that 45 people were killed on farms last year, including seven members of the public.
In response, key agriculture organisations, those representing allied industries such as the supply and transport sectors and training providers will come together on September 30 in London. NFU transport and inputs adviser Peter Garbutt said: “The aim is to put into place specific, co-ordinated and practical measures to improve safety for farmers, growers and members of the public.
“Agriculture faces several unique challenges including a fragmented structure of many small enterprises, historically low investment, lone working, long hours and seasonal work.
“However, these factors must never be considered an excuse for high accident rates and an increased focus on safety does not need to mean a compromise in farm efficiency – indeed, the two should compliment each other.”
Safety around farms has been thrown into sharp focus in recent days by the death of former ELO cellist Mike Edwards. A bale of silage is believed to have landed on his van on the A381 in Devon. Mr Garbutt added: “This appears to have been an extraordinary and tragic accident and we understand that the police and HSE are now looking into the events. The NFU works closely with the HSE and we await with interest the results and any recommendations from this investigation.”
He reminded members that a particular focus on safety is required during this busy time of year.
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