HSE Chair Promoting Farm Safety This Week
"Farming has changed, and with new and different working practices and a transient workforce, all farmers need to constantly revisit and reconsider the risks faced by the people working on their farm," HSE Chair Martin Temple said.
With National Farm Safety Week being observed in England during July 24-28, the Health and Safety Executive's chair, Martin Temple, is urging farmers to work to promote safe practices in the industry. HSE encourages everyone involved in agriculture to join the #HelpGBWorkWell conversation to talk about how they can prevent illnesses, injuries, and deaths in the workplace.
National Farm Safety Week is organized by the Farm Safety Foundation and aims to reduce the number of incidents while offering support and guidance for those working in the industry. This year's week comes just after the release of HSE's annual fatality statistics, and figures for the agriculture sector highlight just how poor farming's record is.
"Everyone involved in improving workplace health and safety has a role to play in helping Great Britain work well," Temple said. "I personally have some experience of the challenges and risks farmers face on a day-to-day basis, having grown up on a farm. Farming has changed, and with new and different working practices and a transient workforce, all farmers need to constantly revisit and reconsider the risks faced by the people working on their farm."
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing is the riskiest industry sector in the UK, with 27 workers being killed on farms last year and three members of the public, making a total of 30 people, according to the new HSE fatality figures for the sector.
"National Farm Safety Week provides an ideal opportunity for everyone working in the agricultural industry to raise their voice, and have the conversation around how managing risk well in the workplace is good for farming and all those working in agriculture," said Temple.