>>
Site Map
>>
Forums
>>
UK News
Forum module - topics in forum:
UK News - Breaking news in the field of health and safety
HSE DRIVES DOWN FARM VEHICLE ACCIDENTS ...
HSE DRIVES DOWN FARM VEHICLE ACCIDENTS WITH SURPRISE INSPECTIONS ON NORTH DEVON AND WEST SOMERSET FARMS
The Health and Safety Executive is carrying out an inspection blitz on farms in North Devon and West Somerset.
The week of unannounced inspections starting on December 6 is part of HSE's ongoing campaign to highlight the dangers of farm vehicles. Transport related accidents remain the biggest cause of fatalities on UK farms and the blitz aims to raise awareness of the main issues that are known to contribute to fatal and major injury accidents.
Similar HSE exercises in previous years have focused on All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), but this forthcoming blitz has broadened to incorporate all farm vehicles. The focus on ATV safety will remain on training and the provision and use of protective headgear, whilst the focus with other vehicles will be on driver competence and vehicle maintenance.
Up to a dozen HSE Inspectors from the Plymouth and Bristol offices will be visiting farms in North Devon and West Somerset during the week of 6th December 2004.
Inspector Helena Tinton, who is heading the blitz, said:
"Fatalities on farms remain at a high level and around one third of those fatal accidents involve transport. There are many ways in which farmers and their employees can address these issues and take some simple and inexpensive steps to help prevent these tragic accidents occurring."
An ATV inspection blitz in February this year led to action against many farms by HSE. Inspectors spot-checked 87 farms in North & West Devon and Torridge areas found that many of those visited were using quad bikes without proper safety equipment or training. In all 25 Improvement Notices were served and one Prohibition Notice where there was an immediate risk of serious injury.
In the year 2003/2004 there were 30 fatal agricultural accidents in the UK, of which 10 involved farm vehicles. Three of these occurred in the South West region:
- 31yr old employee ejected from cab when tractor overturned on slope in South Devon
- 35yr old self employed farmer ejected from cab when tractor overturned on slope in Taunton Deane
- 39 yr old self employed farmer crushed when tractor rolled on slight incline, handbrake not fully engaged in Dorset
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. HSE Inspector Helena Tinton, who is heading the inspection blitz, will be available for interview before and during the inspection week. Please phone Becky Graham or Terri Gough at GNN on 0117 9003565/3 to arrange an interview.
3. Guidance
HSE Information
1. Agriculture Information Sheet 33. Safe Use of all terrain vehicles (ATVs) in agriculture and forestry.
2. AIS 37. Operator seat restraints for mobile work equipment in agriculture and forestry.
3. INDG185 (rev1) Tractor Action
4. AS16 Tractor-trailer safety
5. AS22 (rev) Prevention of tractors overturning.
Arboriculture and Forestry Advisory Group leaflets:
1. AFGA701 ATV Quad Bikes
2. AFAG702 All terrain vehicles
3. AFAG805 Training and Certification.
ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE BY GOVERNMENT NEWS NETWORK, 2 RIVERGATE, BRISTOL, BS1 6EL.
