New year, new farming attitudes needed, says HSE

Farmers in Scotland are being told they must pay closer attention to how they manage workplace risk or face serious penalties. The UK Government’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will soon begin a programme of inspections to review health and safety standards on farms across the country. The inspections will ensure those responsible for protecting themselves and workers are complying with the law to prevent death, injury and ill-health. If not, HSE will not hesitate to use enforcement to bring about improvements. Inspectors will check that risks are being controlled in areas including: machinery, falls from height, children and livestock. According to HSE, agriculture has the poorest health and safety record of any industry in Britain, with the latest figures showing that 33 people were killed in agriculture across Britain in 2017/18 - around 18 times higher than the all industry fatal injury rate. HSE head of agriculture Rick Brunt said: ‘Everyone involved in farming has a role to play. ‘Those working in the industry need to understand the risks they face and the simple ways they can be managed. Those who work with the industry can be part of the change that is so badly needed. ‘Farmers, managers and workers are reminded that death, injuries and cases of ill-health are not an inevitable part of farming.’ HSE has a range of resources and guides available to help employers and employees improve health and safety on farms. More information on the topics the inspectors will be looking at when they visit farms can be found on HSE ‘s website.