Databank. Farm safety

Databank

Farm safety

Speaking at a seminar to consider farm safety, Lord Donoughue, Farming Minister, said that the levels of death, injury and ill health experienced in the agricultural industry are unacceptable. In 1997-98, 54 people were killed in UK agriculture and related industries and, over the past five years, 255 people have died. In 1997-98 nearly 2,300 major injuries in agriculture, that is over 40 every week, were reported. Over the past five years the number exceeds 10,000 and it is well known that many injuries are not reported. On top of this there are many days lost from ill health arising from the misuse of chemicals, lifting heavy weights, ingestion of dust and so on. These accidents leave untold personal loss and lives blighted by permanent ill health or injury. Precious time lost, such as the loss of the opportunity for crop spraying, can lead to a drop in crop yield. Increased workload on fellow agricultural workers can increase the pressure they in turn are working under which may lead to further accidents. The Health and Safety Executive's Plan of Work includes a mix of encouragement,advice, education and enforcement which covers all the risks and pitfalls which farmers and workers may encounter in their work. This is designed to help them plan their work so that risks are minimised or eliminated.