Farms can be dangerous places to work due the very nature of the activities undertaken, from driving heavy duty machinery, to dealing with livestock, to simply traversing rough terrain.
Over the last five years, agriculture workers have been 21 times more likely to sustain a fatal injury on average than any other worker, in all other fields, with those aged 45 and over accounting for 80% of all worker deaths.
On average between 20 to 30 people lose their lives on farms every year, with many others suffering life altering injuries including amputations.
The most common injuries on farms are falls from height, being struck by a moving vehicle or object, or being injured by an animal.
Farm Safety Week takes place from 22-26 July and aims to raise awareness of farm safety and the simple things that can be done to make farms safer.
With the HSE recently announcing that they would no longer be running Agricultural Compliance Event inspections after the end of spring 2024, there are concerns that health and safety on farms will continue to be treated less seriously than it should. Below is a brief overview of what could potentially be done to improve safety on farms:
Livestock handlers
- All people working alongside livestock should be physically fit and agile, and be periodically reassessed by their employers both for their fitness and competency.
- Any temporary workers should be properly trained and closely supervised until they are assessed as competent.
- All livestock workers should be trained in recognising signs that an animal is distressed or agitated and to be fully trained how to respond.
- Particular care should be taken when parent animals have their young with them. This can cause them to be overly protective and act uncharacteristically.
- Workers should always check for an escape route before tending to livestock.
- Farm owners should ensure that all equipment used for handling animals is inspected regularly and in good condition.
Drivers
- Should make sure that they are using designated routes around a working farm.
- Should never leave the handbrake off any vehicle when it is stationary.
- Should keep the windows and mirrors clean so that you have a clear view of your surroundings.
- Should make sure that the vehicle is well maintained and free from defects.
- Should check their surroundings before using the vehicle.
- Should use the seatbelt provided.
- Should never exceed maximum loads for lifting vehicles and trailers
- Only competent trained people should be permitted to carry out maintenance work on vehicles.
- Jacks and lifting equipment for vehicles should be kept in good working order and checked regularly.
Machinery operators
- Farms should ensure all machinery with working parts, such as harvesters, bailers, tractors and harrows are stopped and engines turned off and keys removed before freeing blockages.
- Workers should check guards or protective devices are secured in place and working prior to using machinery.
- Workers should be instructed never to use a machine with the safety devices removed.
- Are emergency stop buttons visibly highlighted?
- Workers using the machines should be fully trained and assessed as competent.
- Workers should be familiar with the manuals for the machines and ensure that they have read the same.
- Farms should have appropriate risk assessments in place for the use of all equipment with moving parts.
If you, or someone you know, has been involved in an accident on a farm and suffered injuries, we can assist with making a claim. Please contact our specialist personal injury team at Stephensons who can assist with any queries that you may have on 0161 696 6235 or complete our enquiry form and we can call you back at a time to suit you.
Comments