Safety blitz down on the farm

Spot checks are to be introduced to farms across the region in a bid to cut down on the toll of deaths, injuries and ill health in agriculture.

A team of seven Health and Safety Executive Inspectors will be carrying out monthly inspection campaigns across Yorkshire and the North East.

Inspector Charlie Callis said: "One of our main objectives is to raise the profile of the dangers associated with working at height, safe use of agricultural vehicles, livestock and manual handling and child safety.

"We want to send out a strong message to those in control of agricultural activities, that failure to adequately assess the risks and control hazards can result in death, serious injury and ill health."

Last year there was on average one death a week on farms in the UK, with more than 2000 non-fatal injuries reported to the authorities.

Inspectors will visit as many farms as possible to give advice but will take enforcement action, up to the level of seeking a criminal prosecution where circumstances require it.

Keith King, principal inspector of the agriculture group in Leeds, said: "The number of deaths and injuries on farms is unacceptably high.

"Last year we had four fatal accidents in our area. A self-employed farmer was killed by a bull.

"An employee was killed when he fell from an ATV. The others involved work on trees, one being a high fall.

"Our blitz will concentrate on these matters and work involving repairs to agricultural buildings as well as child safety.

"We will deal strongly with poor standards and take enforcement action, against those who flout health and safety law."

Rosie Dunn, National Farmers' Union county chairwoman for York East, said: "Anything which helps to cut down on accidents and fatalities in the region has to be a good thing.

"We support all measures which improve the safety of our members, and obviously as long as it is done in the right way we have to support the plan."

Updated: 08:27 Tuesday, April 22, 2003