Broker's guide to farm safety
Agriculture has the highest rate of fatal accidents. The latest figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that over the last five years, fatal injuries in the sector have been 21 times higher than the average for all industries.
While the nature of accidents means they can rarely be predicted, a comprehensive health and safety plan can help lower the risk and keep disruption to a minimum.
Here, we highlight some of the main hazards your clients are likely to face and offer simple steps to keep them safe.
Main hazards in farming
Hazards will vary depending on the type of farming your clients do, but some of the main dangers involve:
Animals
According to HSE data, animals are the main cause of fatal accidents on farms. It’s also worth highlighting that incidents involve not just farm workers but members of the public too.
Risks can be minimised by:
Ensuring animals are securely penned in.
Using a race and crush suitable for the animals’ size.
Training farm workers to handle animals effectively.
Extending safety measures to publicly accessible areas (such as clear warning signs or asking owners to put dogs on leads).
Falls from heights
Falls can happen in a split second and often because a job needs to be tackled quickly without consideration of the risks involved. Sadly, lack of precautions means falls from height are one of the top five causes of fatal injury.
Simple preventative steps include:
Using scaffolding or elevated platforms to carry out work.
Ensuring ladders are secured before use.
Finding ways to reduce the impact of a fall, such as safety nets.
Hiring a professional, for instance, tree surgeons who have appropriate skills and task-specific safety equipment.
Being struck by an object
Workers being hit by objects is another key cause of fatal injuries on farms, but risks can be mitigated by:
Ensuring objects are stored and stacked to minimise falling.
Cordoning off areas if work is taking place overhead.
Outlining clear pedestrian routes or aisles.
Maintaining and repairing buildings or removing damaged branches.
Moving vehicles and machinery
New machinery must be ‘CE’ marked to show it meets minimum standards. If clients buy machinery second-hand, they’ll need to check it’s compliant with PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998) and LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998). If not, they must be brought up to the right standards before use.
Other steps to prevent incidents include:
Ensuring machinery is maintained and roadworthy.
Complying with statutory inspection periods.
Lowering or removing front-mounted attachments after use.
Avoid reversing and use turning circles or adopt a one-way system for machinery.
Keeping heavy machinery away from the public.
Dangerous substances
This includes a wide range of substances, including chemicals, pesticides, medicines, slurry, and paint. Even substances that might appear harmless can affect health, such as dust, which could bring on an asthma attack.
Preventative measures include:
Clearly labelling chemicals and pesticides.
Storing substances according to manufacturer guidelines.
Providing staff with suitable protective clothing.
Disposing of substances properly.
Restricting access to only those who need it.
Lifting and handling
The average worker takes just under 14 days off work a year because of musculoskeletal disorders according to the HSE. Clients can reduce disruption and workers can avoid pain by taking very simple precautionary steps:
Learning to lift properly as per manual handling guidelines.
Avoiding twisting or overreaching.
Not carrying more than is safe.
Using equipment to move heavier loads.
Minimising the risk of accidents with health and safety policies
Health and safety policies will be farm-specific but should include risk assessments, preventative measures, and an emergency plan to deal with accidents. Farm safety also extends to the public, so this should be considered, too.
All employees should be clear about any health and safety policies in place and understand their responsibilities.
Another crucial factor is ensuring that health and safety is ongoing. It doesn’t stop after a plan is put in place, and tasks should be monitored regularly. After an incident, plans should also be reviewed to make sure they’re effective. Enlisting the help of a risk management expert is an effective way to ensure health and safety is prioritised and statutory requirements are complied with.
The importance of farm insurance
Insurance should always reflect your client’s needs and for farms, comprehensive risk assessments that identify hazards are an essential part of this.
Our exclusive farm and agriculture insurance is designed for both traditional and diversified farms, supporting your clients in adapting their businesses with confidence.
Farm insurance doesn’t just help cover costs if something goes wrong. Policies are there to support farmers in getting their businesses back up and running as quickly as possible.
Our tailored approach to policy features means you have the flexibility to build a package of insurance that suits your client, no matter how their needs change.
To find out more about how we can help, contact us or call us on 01728 441443.