In an effort to reduce the number of people killed and injured in the agricultural industry, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is holding a free Safety Awareness Day at Wimpole Hall Farm in Cambridgeshire on 13 October 2005.
Last year 47 people died in the agricultural industry, and many more were seriously injured.
HSE inspectors have invited farmers and growers from across Cambridgeshire and North Hertfordshire to the awareness day. HSE will view attendance at the event as a positive sign that an individual or company is keen to manage health and safety risks within the workplace.
Penny Leede, the HSE inspector organising the event, said: "Every year too many people, including children, are killed in horrendous accidents on farms. Many of these tragedies could be prevented by adopting sensible management of risks; the people best placed to do that are farmers and their staff working together to improve health and safety in this critical area.
"The Safety Awareness Day will feature interactive demonstrations of scenarios that cover the most hazardous situations that can arise during agricultural work and demonstrate what farmers and growers can to do to safeguard themselves."
Penny added: "HSE is working in partnership with very experienced, well-qualified trainers and instructors in running this event.
Farmers and growers are being offered the unique opportunity to discuss safety issues, with the people responsible for enforcing the law, on neutral ground. This really is a free lunch and it could even save their life. I urge them to make every effort to attend."
The Safety Awareness Day will be complementary to existing methods used by HSE Inspectors. Inspectors will continue to carry out health and safety inspections and other visits to farms.
Those wishing to attend MUST book in advance as there are a limited number of places available. To book a place contact the Health and Safety Executive on 01582 444200.
