Watchdog renews call for a greater focus on safety

With Scotland’s farm safety record continuing to be one of the poorest across the UK, a call has been made for those working within the industry to make the issue a daily priority.

The Farm Safety Partnership Scotland (FSPS), which consists of key industry stakeholders, this week launched a series of regular updates on seasonal issues to prompt those working in the industry to keep the wellbeing of themselves and others to the front of their mind.

The partnership said that last year saw 33 deaths in the agricultural industry in the UK, with five of those occurring in Scotland. The statistics had shown that the most common causes of death on farms continued to involve falls, transport, animals and equipment.

Breaking down the fatality count from the past five years, the group said that 38 people had been killed in the UK by a moving vehicle; 12 by contact with machinery; ten by asphyxiation or drowning, including in grain stores or pits and slurry pits and eight people had been killed by contact with electricity.

And FSPS stressed that the latest data covered only deaths and did not take into account the huge number of injuries on Scotland’s farms and crofts, many of which went unreported.

But while the grain harvest might now be over in many areas, the importance of practising the “Safe Stop” method – handbrake on, controls in neutral, engine off, keys out – when working with machinery, equipment and vehicles the yearround was stressed.

With casual labour and students often employed at busy times, the critical importance of proper training for anyone working with equipment or machinery, with full risk assessments carried out was also stressed, particularly when working near power lines.

Speaking on behalf of FSPS, NFU Scotland chief executive Scott Walker commented: “One death or injury on Scotland’s farms and crofts is frankly one too many and as an industry we need to take action to make a conscious effort to put our safety, and that of those living and working around us as a priority.

“Whether it is carrying out maintenance to a roof, checking over a machine, or working in a field with power lines, injuries and deaths through accidents most of the time are preventable by taking simple steps and precautions.”

He said the key aim of the campaign was to encourage farmers and crofters to make a point of ensuring their working environment was safe to help the industry work together to reduce the death and injury toll on the country’s farms and crofts.

“This autumn, it is about Your Safety, Your Choice, and as the darker nights draw in, and many are rushing to get the job done it is important to take a step back to make sure you are working safely,” said Walker.