Farm Inspections Reveal Lack of Training

New forklift truck and quad bike training courses to be introduced.

Health & Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors made a hundred contacts with agricultural premises on the Isle of Wight in a bid to reduce accidents to children and the visiting public. This inspection initiative is part of the HSE’s nationwide programme to reduce the number of deaths and injuries in agriculture and forestry.

Inspectors also took action where they found unacceptable standards including:

• Issuing 15 notices requiring improvements to be made. Eight of these related to issues which placed children directly at risk;
• In addition it was necessary to immediately stop dangerous work where the risks were unacceptable through issuing five Prohibition Notices;
• At one farm, the conditions found were so serious, criminal prosecution is being considered.

Charles Gilby, Lead Inspector for the HSE, said: “Many of the farm workers lacked the appropriate training needed for their job and this can put them and others at risk. A particular problem on the Island may be lack of island-based training and the cost of sending workers to the mainland.

“In order to meet this gap in training the Health and Safety Executive is working in collaboration with the Isle of Wight College and the National Farmer’s Union to organise an ongoing programme of training events for Island farm workers.

“Training is to be run before Christmas for forklift truck operators and all-terrain vehicle (Quad bike) drivers. Additional courses are in the pipeline but suggestions from farmers on what they want are welcome.

Additionally HSE is working with The Isle of Wight Economic Partnership who are assisting to secure European Union funding to reduce the cost of the training.

Mr Gilby added: “All parties are working hard to help Isle of Wight farm workers. However, if these courses are not adequately taken up the funding and future provision will be in doubt. Inspectors will require farm workers to gain the same levels of training whether or not they take advantage of this subsidised training.”

Farmers who wish to find out more about the range and availability of the courses to emphasis health and safety issues and how to reserve places should contact either Matthew Legge at the National Farmers Union tel: 01983 522290 or Michelle Wake at the Business Innovations Unit of the Isle of Wight College tel: 01983 535208.

Farms which require advice on health and safety can get access to a range of information available on the HSE website: http://www.hse.gov.uk or contact HSE’s infoline 08701 545500.