Norfolk farmers urged to attend safety sessions amid farm fatality concerns
Workshops aim to address farm safety issues
Farmers in Norfolk are encouraged to attend health and safety sessions this month, as concerns grow over the number of farm-related fatalities nationwide.
Since last April, a total of 41 people have lost their lives on farms across the country, prompting calls for better safety measures.
In response the National Farmers Union (NFU) have held 11 'health and safety mornings', which they are calling 'vital'.
The safety sessions cover areas such as quad bike and ATV safety, emergency first aid, vehicle and driving licence rules and regulations, tyre safety and lone working.
NFU East, Regional Policy Manager, Charles Hesketh said: “Farming remains a dangerous
industry and it’s vital we do everything we can to change the industry’s poor safety record,"
“These events are an effective and impactful way to highlight safer ways of working."
Joe Buxton from NFU East, lives in Norfolk, and proudly wears a 'yellow wellies' pin badge.
The pinbage is part of a campaign by The Farm Safety Foundation. It aims to change attitudes and behaviours around farm safety and mental health among the next generation of farmers (under 40).
Joe Buxton says its important to talk about the risks in farming:
"The safety record in farming, its not where we want it to be, and we unfortunately do loose people every year to it,
its about keeping awareness and safety at the front of peoples minds."
Joe also spoke about the importance of safety in every line of work:
"its always good to promote it, everyone needs to take a stop, a breath, and think about what you're doing to protect yourself"
"its good to make the public aware of the risks it takes to get food on the table" Joe said.