Farm inspections seek to improve livestock safety
© David Hartley/Shutterstock The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is stepping up farm inspections to drive home the importance of working safely with livestock.
A spate of recent accidents involving livestock has raised HSE concerns, prompting them to tell farmers they must pay closer attention to health and safety.
See also: Safety campaign focuses on better livestock handling
Each year a number of people are killed or injured in incidents involving cattle – incidents which the HSE says can be prevented.
HSE inspectors will be visiting farms to remind farmers of their duty to protect themselves, their workers and the public from the risks of cattle.
If they are not taking appropriate measures, the HSE says inspectors will use enforcement to bring about improvements.
Throughout the inspections, HSE will be reminding workers that appropriate controls should be in place when working with livestock. These include:
- proper handling facilities in good working order
- a race and a crush suitable for handling animals
- trained and competent workers
- a rigorous culling policy for temperamental animals
The focus on livestock is part of a 12-month programme of inspections to ensure farmers are doing the right things to comply with the law – and prevent death, injury and ill health.
HSE head of agriculture Andrew Turner said: “The campaign focus is timely as last year eight people died on farms in cattle related incidents, nearly one quarter of the total deaths on British farms.
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“Last year, 33 people were killed in agriculture across Britain and those working in the industry need to realise that death, injuries and cases of ill-health are not an inevitable part of farming and can be prevented.
“We must not become complacent and accept this as the norm. Farmers should plan their work, know the risks and use the right controls to ensure that everyone can go home healthy from their work.”
HSE has a range of resources and guides available to help those working on the farm manage the risks appropriately.
More information on what topics the inspectors will be looking at when they visit farms can be found in the HSE What a Good Farm Looks Like guide.
See our Know How centre on Health and safety for more tips and advice and case studies.