HSE Seeks To Help Farmers Avoid Work Accidents

Following a number of recent deaths involving tractors the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published a guide on safety for farmers.

Farming remains one of the most dangerous occupations despite the number of fatalities and serious injuries declining in recent years.

The update guidance, entitled Tractor Action: A Step-by-step Guide To Using Tractors Safely, includes essential guidance to ensure safety is the number one priority.

It applies to those working in industries such as farming, forestry, horticulture, amenity horticulture and the sports turf industry.

Recent deaths in tractor-related accidents include a 39-year-old in East Yorkshire who apparently tried to fix a machine with his tractor still running last month and Scottish man who died in August after his tractor overturned in a ditch.

Tony Mitchell, of HSE's agriculture and food sector, commented: "These latest deaths highlight just how dangerous the farming industry can be. But this revised guide to tractor safety is easy to follow and could just save your life."

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David Urpeth from law firm Irwin Mitchell said: “These are two further tragic examples of farm workers losing their lives following an accident at work.

“The agricultural industry is the second most likely industrial sector for a worker to lose his life in a work accident.

“As such, I would urge employers to adequately assess the risks faced by workers and implement a safe system of work.

“All too often, I have to assist workers pursue their compensation claim following a serious accident at work in circumstances that could and should have been avoided."