With high numbers and rates of fatal injury, the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector is certainly the riskiest industry sector.
Transport remains the biggest killer in agriculture, and nearly half of the workers killed in the past year were over 65.
Figures published in the Health and Safety Executive’s report 'Fatal injuries in agriculture, forestry and fishing in Great Britain 2016/17' show how 30 people were killed as a result of farming and other agriculture-related activities during the year.
Guidance is available on the HSE website for Farm Vehicles, Work at Height and Child and Public Safety (to view this guidance click here.)
Five key messages in relation to farm safety include:
Ashfords' Business Regulatory Consultancy has been helping to spread the 'Safe Home' message to the agricultural community. We have helped our Estates and Farming clients to implement safe systems of work and advised on event safety and diversification.
Our consultancy service can support you in managing your existing farm holding or by giving you the confidence to diversify. Areas of expert advice and guidance available include health and safety, event safety, food safety, infection control, fire safety, trading standards, environmental responsibilities and security measures.
We can also help you develop robust risk assessments, procedures and safety management policies as well as delivering training and Directors Briefings.
If you have more than one site we can offer Primary Authority Partnerships, a government backed scheme that allows you to get assured advice from your regulator that other regulators must abide by and cannot put further burdens on your business.
From October 2017 the Primary Authority Scheme is changing to allow one site businesses to benefit from consistency of regulatory enforcement and the protections from enforcement activity.
