“Let’s work together to make Britain a safer place to be a farmer”

New figures published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) once again condemn agriculture as the most dangerous profession in the UK. Accidents on farms account for around a fifth of Britain’s workplace deaths yet only 1.5 per cent of the population work in the industry.

Agricultural engineers have a crucial role to play, whether in equipment design, distribution, maintenance, or just spreading good practice to everyone involved in agricultural technology and food production. Reaching the next generation at college with effective messages and practical demonstrations is vital.

Workplace transport and contact with machinery are two of the main causes of fatal and major injuries in farming each year. Other common causes include falls from height and being struck by moving objects and livestock.

But it’s not just about machine design. It is also about looking at how equipment is used in practice and developing the right techniques and processes to manage operations. Improvements need to be made in livestock handling and avoiding hazards such as inadequate guards on machinery, steep slopes and overhead power lines.

“Everyone in the industry needs to take this issue seriously” said IAgrE’s Chief Executive Chris Whetnall. “We are not talking about more red tape, just solid no-nonsense advice.”

IAgrE members include leading experts in agricultural health & safety, tractor and trailer braking systems, animal handling technology and knowledge transfer specialists. The Institution stands ready to assist manufacturers, policy makers, insurers and farmers themselves by facilitating contact with the best sources of practical and research expertise in the sector.

“Significant reductions in on-farm accident rates are achievable if all the landbased organisations make a concerted effort to work together on this” concluded Chris Whetnall.