Farmers attending farm safety event in Suffolk received a stark reminder of the urgent need to improve the industry’s poor accident record.
Host farmer George Gittus (right) displayed 41 high visibility jackets on a clothes line, representing those who have died in farm accidents since April last year. The jackets were on show at Symonds Farm near Bury St Edmunds as more than 100 farmers prepared to join a discussion on essential health and safety topics at the NFU-organised event.
Mr Gittus, who is the NFU Suffolk council representative, said 41 people had been killed on farms since April last year. “When my team were putting these jackets up, it sent a few shivers down their spines.”
Hundreds of farmers have attended the NFU East-organised health and safety morning workshops, with 11 held across the region in June and July. Representatives from the fire and rescue service and the police have attended many of the events.
Events have covered areas including quad bike and ATV safety, emergency first aid, vehicle and driving licence rules and regulations, tyre safety and lone working, said NFU eastern region policy manager Charles Hesketh. “Farming remains a dangerous industry and it’s vital we do everything we can to change the industry’s poor safety record. These annual events are an effective and impactful way to highlight safer ways of working.”