Agricultural accidents are on the increase in the South West.

Last year there were nine deaths and more than 80 serious injuries.

To help tackle the problem new guidance notes have been published by the Health and Safety Executive. Training courses are also being held all over the region.

Matthew Perkins a solicitor with law firm Berrymans told South West Farmer that the latest statistics published by the HSE illustrated that both injuries to farm workers and to members of the public were on the rise and it had potentially serious consequences for farmers, their insurers and the agricultural industry as a whole.

HSE figures for 2010 show that agriculture was responsible for between 15 per cent and 20 per cent of all worker fatalities, despite less than 1.5 per cent of the working population being employed in the sector. In addition, seven members of the public were killed on farmland. Nationally on average, between 40 and 50 workers are killed on British farms every year, despite less than 1.5 percent of the population working in the industry.

“Figures covering the last five years show eight in every 100,000 farmers are killed at work in Great Britain every year, compared to the average figure for workplace deaths of eight in every million,” say the HSE.

About 95 per cent of 1,300 farmers surveyed after attending a training event said they would recommend them to others.

“Last year in the South West alone, nine farm workers were killed with 85 sustaining major injuries,” said Mr Perkins.

Disproportionate statistics like these had prompted the HSE to become increasingly focused on the sector, with a view to tackling what it called a “deep seated culture of unwise risk taking in the industry,” he added.

“With the possibility of insurance premiums rising to cover increased risks, placing ever increasing pressure on already squeezed margins, cost effective measures can be taken to demonstrate a commitment to health and safety and reduce risks to workers and members of the public.” Farming is an inherently dangerous occupation, and adequate risk assessments are vital in identifying hazards and putting in place effective means of eliminating or reducing risks to farmers and the public. Mr Perkins says suitable assessments should cover all activities, machinery, processes, farmland and outbuildings, and must be periodically reviewed to ensure they remain accurate.

“Accurate recording of the assessments and the steps taken to implement their recommendations is vital to demonstrate compliance with the legal duties placed on farm owners as employers and landowners. A key aspect of safe working is suitable training and assessments should also identify key training needs and provide a framework for appropriate training.”

But the situation has been made more difficult for farmers with the introduction of public rights to roam legislation and the ever increasing diversification of farms.

More and more members of the public are now going on to farm property as more and more farmers diversify.

Such a move has brought its own set of challenges and farmers’ leaders and agricultural associations have all voice concern and reminded farmers on all sorts of issues including ensuring there is adequate fencing, signage, awareness of paths and careful choices about the fields in which herds graze.

There are also fears that the pressures of longer hours and lower revenue means health and safety may take a back seat, but it an issue that should not be ignored, said Mr Perkins.

Steps should not only be taken to prevent serious accidents but also help to provide insurance companies with the opportunity to defend personal injury claims when nothing more could have been done to avoid accidents or reduce the risks.

“It is important to protect yourself from the risk of a claim,” said Mr Perkins.

The HSE has made available software for farmers to download.