The alarming rise in the number of fatalities in the agricultural sector is further evidence of the urgent need for employers to invest more in training and skills, according to Lantra Awards.
The latest statistics released by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) show an alarming increase on last year’s figures, rising from 25 to 38 agricultural workers killed at work between 1 April 2009 and 31 March 2010. According to Lantra Awards, these statistics should be ringing alarm bells for any employer or employee working in either the agricultural or land-based and environmental sector.
With its vast experience of providing training and qualifications within the environment and land-based industries, Lantra Awards is urging businesses to take heed of these latest statistics. Investing in the essential skills and training needed, will ensure that workers can get their job done efficiently but, above all, safely.
"We believe that continued investment in skills and training is absolutely vital to ensure agricultural workers understand how to work safely and manage the risks involved," commented Wayne Grills, Managing Director, Lantra Awards. "There should never be a justification for providing insufficient training in order to save costs, as you simply cannot put a price tag on human life in this sector or any other."
Madge Moore, England Director for Sector Skills Council, Lantra, and a member of the Agriculture Industry Advisory Committee (AIAC), also supports this view. She commented, "During what has been extremely challenging economic times, many agricultural businesses may have considered cutting training budgets in order to save money. However, with the rate of fatal injuries in the sector being 8.2 per 100,000 workers, agriculture is by and far the most dangerous industry in which to work. Effective training can reduce the risk of an accident happening, and the subsequent costs to the business in down time and the possible risk of prosecution."
Lantra Awards works alongside the HSE to deliver Safety and Health Awareness Days (SHADs) covering the everyday hazards that agricultural workers may face, as well as offering a wide range of health and safety qualifications and training courses via a network of training providers and colleges across the country.
"It is totally unacceptable to allow the high levels of fatalities in agriculture to continue and it is vital that people act now and do something about it," continued Grills. "As well as providing a wide range of training, qualifications and awareness days, Lantra Awards is also fully supportive of the HSE’s ’Make the Promise’ campaign, which hopes to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities on farms. We hope that this and the latest fatality statistics will be enough to make people aware of the dangers involved and ensure they are fully trained and prepared so that they come home safely at the end of every day."
