Industry unites on safety

18/05/2011 - An industry campaign to reduce the number of deaths and injuries on farm was launched at Grassland and Muck on 18th May.

Some 16 agricultural organisations, including Lantra, have already signed the Farm Safety Charter in a bid to cut the alarming number of fatalities attributed to the industry – 455 in the last 10 years.

 

Some 16 agricultural organisations, including Lantra, have already signed the Farm Safety Charter in a bid to cut the alarming number of fatalities attributed to the industry – 455 in the last ten years.

President Peter Kendall, HSE chairman Judith Hackett and the NFU Mutual’s Matthew Scott spoke at the launch, encouraging a joined up approach for farms and businesses alike.

“The number of people I meet who think they have a one-off story about a tragedy on-farm never ceases to amaze me,” the NFU President said.

“I could focus on the financials, and the fact that accidents and injuries cost about £343million every year. But this is about your family and your valued workers coming home safe.”

Judith Hackett told the forum that farming was where the construction industry was ten years ago.

“They recognised that there was a need for a real culture change,” she said, “and they have actually done that by taking the lead, supported by the HSE.

“The risks are manageable. This is worth pursuing and worth fighting for.”

All the signatories of the charter have committed to: 

• Provide leadership on safety, challenging traditional attitudes to risk
• Ensure that safety runs through all messages
• Demonstrate that a good safety record is proof of a professional, modern industry
• Build on work done over the years by HSE, using its experience, knowledge and expertise
• Influence to bring about change in culture, attitude and behaviour towards farm safety.

Find out more about Health and Saftey.