Farm Safety Doesn't Cost the earth....

1626943836483.png


… BUT NOT DOING IT COULD COST YOU YOUR LIFE!
Many farmers are happy to invest in their land, livestock and machinery but as we know, they are often reluctant to invest in themselves and their safety:

It costs too much
I can’t afford it
Farming has the poorest safety record of any occupation in the UK & Ireland with far too many lives being lost and life-changing injuries being sustained every year. Over the past year, 41 people lost their lives on GB farms – almost double the number of the previous year so, if this is your argument – have you ever considered how much it would cost to go to hospital for a night, or how much it would cost to be unable to work for an extended period of time or even, as too many families have experienced, how much it would cost to arrange a funeral?

All farm incidents are shocking and dreadfully sad but the saddest thing is that they can often be prevented…
In fact, many of the measures that can be taken to make the job safer don’t cost a penny. Most ‘incidents’ happen either because the work is not properly planned, the risks are not recognised, proper precautions are not taken, or the equipment used is either defective, not appropriate, or used incorrectly.

Often people about to undertake a job believe it will ‘only take a few minutes’ and take a risk in the hope that simply being very careful will be enough.

According to our most recent tracker research, 76% of farmers under 40 would admit that, on occasions, they would be prepared to take risks when doing some jobs around the farm (up from 50% in 2014) and 46% of those surveyed admitted to cutting corners even if they know this makes a job less safe

As a charity established to preserve and protect the physical and welcome wellbeing of the next generation of farmers, it comes as no surprise that, when comparing older and younger age groups, the fatal injury rate is over 4 times higher for over 65s compared to the 16-24 age group. Having worked and trained young farmers at land-based colleges/universities and through the young farmers club network for over six years now, we can see that the next generation of farmers is fundamental in driving this needed change in farm safety. Today we are proud to reveal the shortlist for the Farm Safety Award 2021, a new addition to the NFYFC Achievers Awards which celebrates all those members who have dedicated their time to championing farm safety over the past year.

The Farm Safety Foundation is proud to have been closely involved with this award. We believe in championing good safety ambassadors and Stephanie joined NFYFC Vice-Chair Ed Dungait and Red Shepherdess Hannah Jackson on a judging panel to wade through the mound of entries and decide on a final five.



Hannah, who is one of the Farm Safety Foundation’s highest profile ambassadors had a recent scare when her father was moving the mobile sheep race on a hill and, due to slippery conditions, the trailer jack-knifed causing the whole quad to flip.

As she explains: “This happens, especially on farms, but it’s our responsibility to make sure that safety is set high above all else in case such incidents happen. Thankfully Dad was going really slow and he had his helmet on and had chance to get out of the way but there was something else that protected my dad and the entire quad bike – our quad tray.

“We got the tray to make sure we are safe every day when travelling. But it’s proven itself above and beyond its purpose. When the quad bike flipped over, the quad tray took the brunt and weight of the trailer and, of course, the impact of the roll.

“It didn’t crumble, it held its own, it made sure my Dad didn’t get stuck under the bike and protected the bike. One side of the tray came off but apart from that it was fine. This could have been nasty, even with a helmet on, but thankfully it wasn’t.

“We replaced the quad tray but it reminded us to be cautious whilst working on the farm. A sharp lesson learnt to always take into account conditions and not just the terrain when on your bike. And never be too familiar with machinery. Accidents happen. Sometimes they’re preventable, sometimes they are complete fluke. But you can help the outcome be better if health and safety on the farm is a priority.”


After much debate and deliberation, the judges agreed that the Top Three in the NFYFC Achievers Farm Safety Award are:



1. Maria Warne, St Mabyn YFC, Cornwall – the judges agreed that social media influencer Maria (and her adorable Granfer) were a real force for good in the industry. Her enthusiasm, positive attitude to farm safety and ability to harness the power of social media meant that she was reaching a whole new generation of farmers and promoting positive safety messages Maria uses her popularity on social media sites such as TikTok and Instagram to share farm safety messages. With more than 800,000 followers on Tiktok and more than 33,000 on Instagram, Maria has a huge following who watch her updates about safer ways of working on the farm.



2. Weald of Kent YFC – as well as ensuring all members received the Yellow Wellies Farm Safe Curve training, this innovative club went the extra mile and took a very innovative approach to sourcing funding opportunities. Their Growing Safer Farmers project is now funded by the Kent Community Foundation and pays for accredited training and other farm safety awareness activities. The judges agreed that the club deserved recognition for the support they offer members, especially for creating opportunities for them to achieve training qualifications that will help their career prospects as well as their safety behaviours.



3. Emily Jones, Dilwyn YFC, Herefordshire
– Having spent her placement year with Safety Revolution, it was not surprising that this recent graduate of Harper Adams University chose Farm Safety as the focus for her final year dissertation. Emily also used the power of social media to ask for responses to her study and received 1,000 responses from farmers across the UK on how they thought safety could be improved. The judges were convinced that Emily feels strongly that things need to change in the industry and she is driven to make a difference.

To find out more visit the NFYFC website. The winner will be announced during the YFC Achiever Award Week from 13-17 September 2021.
 

robs1

Member
fact, many of the measures that can be taken to make the job safer don’t cost a penny. Most ‘incidents’ happen either because the work is not properly planned, the risks are not recognised, proper precautions are not taken, or the equipment used is either defective, not appropriate, or used incorrectly.
.

Sorry but that paragraph is a load of patronising crap.
Im not for a second disagreeing Farming has a very poor record and every life lost is a tragedy for the family involved, however no other industry apart from perhaps fishing has to deal with the weather and the pressure that brings, tiredness is a major cause of accidents, many one/two men bands work extremely long hours during parts of the year and have no choice in it, yes someone will come along and say get help, where from ? There is no supply of skilled workers sitting around waiting for a call they are all flat out too.
To say that farmers dont plan the work is again highly patronising, most have been doing it for years and can do it with their eyes shut, we ALL know the dangers, it's not taking the risk when under stress thats the hard part and is the most difficult thing to learn, perhaps a campaign to shame the buyers to pay directly for any hse repairs or equipment might result in less " defective or inappropriate " equipment, every other industry passes on the cost ag cant .
I could say a lot more but will leave it there, perhaps I'm tired after all I like thousands of others have been doing 16 plus hours a day the last week or so and pretty pee'd of bring preached at by someone who has little idea of the reality
 

Goweresque

Member
Location
North Wilts
Given the average age of the people dying in farm accidents, is it really very useful to be highlighting farm safety on social media and Tik Tok? How many 60+ year olds (who comprise approx. 50% of farm deaths remember) are going to be looking at those?

This is a typical modern PR/media types 'campaign' that ticks all the boxes of 'social inclusion' and use of technology, and misses by a country mile the actual problem - farming is an industry heavily populated by elderly people (usually men) doing dangerous work that their bodies can no longer protect them from.

When are we going to see a campaign aimed at getting these elderly people to realise they can't do what they used to do, and they should slow down or stop doing it? Instead of 20 somethings chattering away at other 20 somethings on social media?
 
Location
southwest
fact, many of the measures that can be taken to make the job safer don’t cost a penny. Most ‘incidents’ happen either because the work is not properly planned, the risks are not recognised, proper precautions are not taken, or the equipment used is either defective, not appropriate, or used incorrectly.
.

Sorry but that paragraph is a load of patronising crap.
Im not for a second disagreeing Farming has a very poor record and every life lost is a tragedy for the family involved, however no other industry apart from perhaps fishing has to deal with the weather and the pressure that brings, tiredness is a major cause of accidents, many one/two men bands work extremely long hours during parts of the year and have no choice in it, yes someone will come along and say get help, where from ? There is no supply of skilled workers sitting around waiting for a call they are all flat out too.
To say that farmers dont plan the work is again highly patronising, most have been doing it for years and can do it with their eyes shut, we ALL know the dangers, it's not taking the risk when under stress thats the hard part and is the most difficult thing to learn, perhaps a campaign to shame the buyers to pay directly for any hse repairs or equipment might result in less " defective or inappropriate " equipment, every other industry passes on the cost ag cant .
I could say a lot more but will leave it there, perhaps I'm tired after all I like thousands of others have been doing 16 plus hours a day the last week or so and pretty pee'd of bring preached at by someone who has little idea of the reality

Try reading what is written before reacting. No one is saying that all farmers don't plan work, but that most accidents could be avoided by better planning, risk assessments etc. The fact that most farmers have been "doing it for years" probably means it's about time they had a fresh look at how they do "it" to see if there's a safer way to do it.

As for the argument that farming can't "afford" to work safely, well that's just b ollocks! 99% of farmers will spend £thousands on shiny new toys before they even think of paying for a bit of safety advice. And do you really think every other industry was rolling in money before they took H&S seriously? No, they prioritised spending to look after their staff as they realised the hidden costs. As for long working hours, that's just poor management

Safe working is 99% attitude, 1% money
 

robs1

Member
Try reading what is written before reacting. No one is saying that all farmers don't plan work, but that most accidents could be avoided by better planning, risk assessments etc. The fact that most farmers have been "doing it for years" probably means it's about time they had a fresh look at how they do "it" to see if there's a safer way to do it.

As for the argument that farming can't "afford" to work safely, well that's just b ollocks! 99% of farmers will spend £thousands on shiny new toys before they even think of paying for a bit of safety advice. And do you really think every other industry was rolling in money before they took H&S seriously? No, they prioritised spending to look after their staff as they realised the hidden costs. As for long working hours, that's just poor management

Safe working is 99% attitude, 1% money
Yes I agree safety is 99 % attitude, simply thinking dont do this because it's a risk is enough.
However look at the employment figures for "safety" officers, we had a railway embankment rebuilt here a few years ago, the hada full time banksman directing lorries back, the only danger was to him as there was nothing or no one else to hit, that is just one of a thousands employed to do similar jobs etc, how many farms could afford one let alone two or more to cover all the working hours , how long before a silage gang needs one ?
Why do you need safety advice its all common sense and from the hse days I've been on they dont have much idea, there were several scenarios demonstrated, 1st one was about manual lifting, ie no lifting heavy weights and use the right posture etc, next scenario, storage of dual wheels etc, were told to lie them down so they can't fall on kids, when challenged about picking them up they then changed to tie them to the wall, what about people climbing on them and falling off, next one was quad safety using a badly balanced trailer, safety officer stretched across trailer dragging a heavy weight in totally the wrong body position, was pulled up on that , had no reply, working at heights and was told a ladder was better than a man cage if on your own, couldnt answer when asked why not climb a ladder into the man cage. Just a few examples of their ""knowledge".
I'm not for a minute anti safety but it's a mindset of self responsibility and awareness, the patronising tone of the op message is insulting
 
I'm really not sure TikTok is the place to be advertising farm safety unless you use the video above of the guy falling off the ladder with the sound "I've said It once and I'll say it again. Every FUUPING day there is some kind of FUUPING Handlin, Jeepers Oh FUUP" (I've toned it down a little there), Who knows it might actually work.
 

SFI - What % were you taking out of production?

  • 0 %

    Votes: 77 43.5%
  • Up to 25%

    Votes: 62 35.0%
  • 25-50%

    Votes: 28 15.8%
  • 50-75%

    Votes: 3 1.7%
  • 75-100%

    Votes: 3 1.7%
  • 100% I’ve had enough of farming!

    Votes: 4 2.3%

Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

  • 1,285
  • 1
As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
Top