Agricultural purchasing group Anglia Farmers (AF) will be focussing on health and safety issues at Cereals 2011 to support Farm Safety Month and to launch real time tracking devices for isolated workers out in the field.

AF has members throughout the UK collectively farming in excess of 540,000 hectares. As with anyone in the farming sector, many of them and their employees work in isolated situations with machinery, livestock, agrochemicals and other potential hazards. Any delay in seeking help if an accident happens can mean the difference between life and death.

According to the Health and Safety Executive on average there are 46 fatalities a year in the UK farming industry – the highest of any industry sector.

AF is helping to reverse this statistic through initiatives such as Farm Safety Month, which is running throughout June to improve safety levels on farms across the East of England. Also, in association with specialist telecoms and technology suppliers, AF is providing real time tracking of workers out in the field via satellite.

“We are developing applications such as Loneworker to ensure it is relevant for our members,” said Robert George, communications business manager at AF.

“For example, panic buttons on mobiles can be activated via satellite to give an exact location of the person in distress. We also offer personal tracking systems and ‘deadman down’ alerts. All of these systems will enable our members to improve safety for themselves and their staff and will help them comply with legislation. It will give them peace of mind that they have put the best precautions in place for the safety of their staff.

“Our specialist suppliers; Comm-Tech and Intouch Systems, will be with us at Cereals to demonstrate what is on offer.”

Emphasising keenness to keep in touch, AF is also running an ‘internet café’ with password access for all visitors to the stand. Anyone requiring wi-fi access on site is welcome.

• Cereals 2011 exhibitor information as supplied by Anglia Farmers.