When a major campaign like Farm Safety Week draws to a close, it can a good time to reflect on the people, stories and statistics that illustrate why farming continues to struggle with its safety record and make a choice…
To leave it there as one week in the year or to use it as a starting point. Talking and liking and sharing content is the easy part, it’s time to take the next step forward to keep ourselves and those around us safe and get to a point where the statistics reflect the conversation.
The team here at the Farm Safety Foundation have been on that journey every day of the year for 10 years now but we are a small charity and we can not do it alone. Lantra have accepted the challenge and the announcement that they are offering their farm safety eLearning free of charge from today is warmly welcomed but what more needs to be done?
We spoke to some key figures to gauge their thoughts…
Dr Bryan Monson, HSE
Bryan Monson, HSENI agrees:
“Farm Safety Week remains a crucial focus in the farming calendar because it serves as a vital reminder of the ongoing risks present in the agricultural industry. Over the past 12 months we have seen a worrying increase in the number of fatal accidents on our farms.
Farm safety should be a top priority every day of the year. Everyone can play their part in preventing deaths and injuries and that starts with you – each day, every task, stop and think SAFE”
Jim McLaren MBE, Chairman NFU Mutual
NFU Mutual Chairman and Scottish Farmer, Jim McLaren MBE believes:
“Every single farm accident is a farm accident too many, and there is still so much more to do. Farm Safety Week is a great opportunity for our whole sector to pause and reflect, to remind ourselves that virtually every task we undertake on farm has the ability to kill or seriously injure us if we approach it in the wrong way or with undue haste, carelessness or bravado.”
David Exwood, Deputy President, National Farmer Union
NFU Deputy President, David Exwood voiced his concerns about the lack of change saying: “We’ve now had 40 years where the fatality numbers have hardly changed – this must be a reset moment for improving safety in our sector.
“Fatigue, familiarity with procedures or hectic schedules are not excuses. We have to stop the culture of risk-taking and make farm safety our number one priority. Because ultimately, everyone deserves to come home alive and well at the end of each day.”
Aled Jones, President NFU Cymru
NFU Cymru President Aled Jones said: “This week’s HSE figures show no drastic improvements in our industry’s safety record. As a union, we are proud to champion the very best of Welsh farming and to highlight all the great work taking place on farms across Wales, but whilst we as farmers strive to deliver the very best produce for our customers, we sometimes fail on the most important thing, keeping ourselves safe.
“As a farmer myself, I know too well the time pressures and long hours in farming, but we must take a step back, think about what we’re about to do, and always think SAFETY FIRST. It’s better to be a few minutes late than suffering the consequences of our haste. I would urge everyone to make a promise to themselves this week, to change their mindset on farm safety, and prioritise their and their family’s safety above all else.”
Teresa Roche, Irish Farmers Association
Teresa Roche, Farm Family & Social Affairs Chair, Irish Farmers Association added:
“Farm Safety Week is another opportunity to spark the conversation around the kitchen table on what changes can be made to make the farm safer. Farm work can be hazardous, but many accidents are preventable.
By being mindful of safety and taking proactive measures every day, you can protect yourself and those who depend on you.”
Andrew Connon, Deputy President, NFU Scotland
Andrew Connon, Deputy President NFU Scotland sums it up: “Less staff, less time, shorter weather windows and financial pressures are undoubtedly a contributor to accidents on farms, especially on the family farm where labour resources can often be stretched to the limit.
“There is considerable room for improvement and as an industry, we really need to get our heads together with like-minded organisations and ensure that farms become safer places. Let’s all make this year’s Farm Safety Week the springboard for a renewed focus on safety on our farms and crofts – each, and every one of us needs to RETHINK THE RISK!”
