HSE survey on childcare facilities

THE HEALTH and Safety Executive is investigating whether a lack of childcare facilities is a factor in why so many children are killed or injured on farms.

The HSE is working in conjunction with the Transport and General Workers Union to establish attitudes towards child safety and what arrangements there are for childcare in rural communities.

The two organisations are asking farmers to take part in two surveys which they say will be used to seek solutions to the problem of accidents on farms involving young children.

The confidential and anonymous surveys have been drawn up by HSE inspector Mike Walters who is currently on secondment to the T&G.

Chris Kaufman, T&G national secretary for agriculture, said: “Farms are workplaces not playgrounds.

“These surveys are vital to the T&G‘s campaign to keep death and injury off the farm. I hope there is a big take-up of the surveys by the farming community.”

In the ten years from 1993 to 2003, 25 children were killed on farms and there were 400 serious injuries. The HSE also believes that many more incidents went unreported.

The major causes of fatal injuries to children are being struck by a vehicle, drowning or asphyxiation, falls from a height, or contact with machinery or fire.

Mr Walter said he hoped farmers would take part in the surveys as it would give a fuller picture on this very important issue.

To view the surveys click here