Dairy Farming to be the Focus of the HSE 

20 Sep Dairy Farming to be the Focus of the HSE 

Dairy Farm Safety

With Brexit fast approaching, the challenges facing farming and agriculture are never too far it seems from the headlines. And while the outcome of the referendum will bring many uncertain prospects both good and bad, there’s another factor which should also be considered by farmers, and in particular, dairy farmers. 

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have recently outlined their 12 month plan, focusing on the inspection of farms with beef and dairy cattle. Looking at the statistics, it’s perhaps justified that dairy farm safety is a priority.

Agriculture represents 1.2% of the total GB workforce, but accounts for a staggering 20% of reported work related fatalities each year. To put this into perspective, agriculture injury rate is six times greater than that of construction and 18 times greater than the all industry average. With daily usage of heavy machinery and vehicles, fall hazards and exposure to chemicals and livestock, these statistics might not be a surprise to those working within farming and agriculture. However, there is an additional reported 1.3 million people suffering from agriculture related illnesses, including musculoskeletal conditions, skin and lung diseases – many of which are completely preventable, should the right training and equipment be in place.

The HSE have outlined that the following areas will be inspected:

Handling and housing cattle
Risks to members of the public
Bale handling and stacking
Slurry
Children on farms

These areas can be broken down further to include:

• Workplace transport e.g. ATVs
• Asbestos
• Machinery guarding e.g. PTOs
• Flammable / explosive substances e.g. dust
• Work at height e.g. roofs / fragile roof warning signs
• Confined spaces
• Falling objects
• Pressure vessels e.g. LPG
• Manual handling
• Zoonoses
• Electricity / overhead power lines
• Dermatitis
• Chainsaws
• HAV
• Chemicals and hazardous substances
• Legionella
• Slips and trips
• Structural safety

You can read the complete HSE Agriculture Sector Work Plan here: http://www.hse.gov.uk/foi/internalops/og/og-00113.pdf

With nationwide coverage and online courses available, contact us today if you’d like to learn more about how TTS can ensure that you meet with HSE regulations and standards, before the inspectors come to visit.