From Farm Research Group
Spring 2014
Health & Safety Update
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Welcome to Strutt & Parker’s Farm Research Group Health & Safety Update. The quarterly health & safety Update is designed to make you think about health & safety matters on your farm and/or estate. Health & safety is a vital part of any business operation. The New Year is a time when many people make New Year’s resolutions, this year that could include rethinking how health & safety is implemented on your farm or estate. Health & safety includes the consideration of employees personal health as well as their safety in their place of work. A recent survey by the British Heart Foundation found that those in primary industries, including agriculture had the second highest level of ill health, with one in ten people suffering from poor health and one in six of the health problems being heart related and circulation problems. 2012/13 saw 29 fatal injuries to agricultural workers down from 35 in 2011/12. This rate on a percentage of persons employed in agriculture remains higher than any other industry, 8.8 per 100,000 workers. Of those that were fatally injured, 41% were farmers and 17% were farm workers. It is vitally important that we all strive to reduce this number and the terrible impact it has on the immediate family and close friends, as well as the close knit agricultural community. For further assistance or information on these or any other issues please call your nearest Strutt & Parker office.
1. Health & Safety Posters Employers have a legal duty under the Health & Safety Information for Employees Regulations to display the approved health & safety poster in a prominent position in every workplace or to provide each worker with a copy of the approved leaflet outlining British health & safety law. The statutory poster was revised in 2009, replacing the 1999 version which is still seen in many workplaces. The approved leaflet which was launched in 2009 is a convenient pocket card format.
The 2009 poster or pocket cards must be replaced no later than 5 April 2014. The new poster is as below.
Unlike the 1999 version, the 2009 poster and pocket card do not require the employer to provide further information in writing, either on the poster, or with the pocket card.
2. Telehandlers Telehandlers are one of the most versatile and commonly used pieces of machinery on the farm adding a significant contribution to many enterprises. Their versatility means that they are often utilised for jobs that are outside of their scope, putting both the operator and others in danger. As a result, there have been a number of serious accidents including some fatalities. Improving safety when using these machines is vital. The ‘Safe Stop’ procedure should be followed when using any machine, but is particularly important with telehandlers as they are frequently used in the farmyard where others may be working or where visitors have access, and are unfamiliar with the usual activities in the farmyard. The ‘Safe Stop’ procedure requires users of machines to: put the handbrake on, ensure controls are in neutral, turn the engine off and remove the key from the ignition. Ensuring that all operators of telehandlers are appropriately trained prior to using telehandlers is paramount. Training courses are regularly run by local training groups. The safe use, maintenance and selection of appropriate equipment is essential to the safe operation of these machines. Planning tasks for telehandlers and ensuring that the operator is competent for such a task, making certain that the attachments are suitable both for the task and compatible with the telehandler is a necessity. Ultimate responsibility for the planning of tasks and therefore safe operation of the machine rests with the employer.
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3. Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) Driver CPC became a mandatory requirement from 10 September 2009 for anyone who drives or wishes to drive Category C or D (including subcategories C1 and D1) vehicles, weighing in excess of 3.5 tonnes and in excess of 12 tonnes respectively. Driver CPC is a different qualification to the transport operations CPC and therefore must be taken in addition if you wish to continue to drive Category C and D vehicles professionally. The Driver CPC training must be renewed every 5 years through continued training. Holding a vocational Driving Licence will no longer be sufficient for anyone driving these vehicles for a living. The aim is to improve road safety and reduce road casualties. This is being achieved through approved training programmes; drivers are required to complete 35 hours in five seven hour blocks, the 35 hours can be completed in 5 consecutive days. The training is classed as other work and must be recorded as such. All drivers must complete this training prior to 10 September 2014.
4. Abrasive Wheels The use of cutting and grinding discs is common place in all farm and estate workshops, and they have the potential to be a very dangerous piece of equipment. Abrasive wheels are considered to carry such risk that they warrant their own training course, and yet frequently farm and estate workers are not trained to use them. An inappropriate selection of cutting or grinding disc for a given task presents a serious hazard to the operator and others as the risk of disc shatter is greatly increased. Discs are designed specifically for cutting or grinding, not both, and where cutting discs are used they should be selected for either stone or metal as required. Cutting discs should never be used for grinding or vice versa no matter how small the task. Machines and discs should be checked for defects and damage prior to every use, failure to do so presents a hazard to both operator and others. Where abrasive wheels are being used, ensure that all guards are in place and functioning correctly. Be aware of the direction that debris is being ejected and others working in close proximity. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be worn which should include, gloves, eye protection and ear protection, if others are working in very close proximity they should also be wearing PPE. Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) may be caused by the vibration from the operation of grinding and cutting machines over prolonged periods so regular breaks from the machine should be taken.
5. Young Persons and Children on Farms Young persons (under 16 years of age) are from time to time provided with work experience and young family members frequently carry out various tasks on farms and estates. Consideration should be given to the type of tasks they are capable of performing and the dangers that they might be exposed to. It is important to assess what they can do both physically and safely as well as explaining the dangers of a working farm or estate. The following should be considered and explained to any young person; The layout of the workplace and where they will be working; The nature of any physical, chemical or biological agents they may be exposed to, for what period and to what extent; What equipment will be being used and how it will be operated; Will any work processes have to be stopped or organised differently? Provision of safety equipment and briefings. It is essential to obtain parental consent before any young person is employed and the local authority needs to be notified if the person is 16 or younger, so that an employment permit can be issued. Where young people are on an organised work experience placement from a school the work experience organiser should deal with the parental consent. Young persons should not be allowed to use dangerous pieces of equipment or machinery unless they have had specific training which enables them to do so. Particular attention should be given to HSE guidance when taking on any young persons. A useful HSE guide can be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg364.pdf.
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6. Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences (RIDDOR) The HSE formally implemented changes to simplify the mandatory reporting of workplace injuries for businesses as st of 1 October 2013. Changes to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995 clarify and simplify reporting requirements, whilst continuing to ensure that the data collected gives an accurate and useful picture of workplace incidents. The change affects all employers – including the self-employed. The main changes are in the following areas: The classification of 'major injuries' to workers replaced with a shorter list of 'specified injuries’ which include: Fracture, other than to fingers, thumbs and toes; Amputation of an arm, hand, finger, thumb, leg, foot or toe; Any injury likely to lead to permanent loss of sight or reduction in sight one or both eyes; Any crush injury to the head or torso, causing damage to the brain or internal organs; Any burn injury (including scalding); Any degree of scalping requiring hospital treatment; Any loss of consciousness caused by head injury or asphyxia; Any other injury arising from working in an enclosed space; The existing schedule detailing 47 types of industrial disease replaced with eight categories of reportable workrelated illness; Fewer types of 'dangerous occurrence' require reporting; There are no significant changes to the reporting requirements for: Fatal accidents; Accidents to non-workers (members of the public); Accidents resulting in a worker being unable to perform their normal range of duties for more than seven days. Reporting under RIDDOR is a legal requirement for companies, how an incident at work is reported and the criteria that determine whether an incident should be investigated remain the same.
7. Grain Store Safety Grain stores are frequently emptied at this time of year whilst work on the land is minimal. Grain stores are large often relatively dark buildings so particular care needs to be taken when working in and around them. It is important to consider the following points when operating in and around grain stores:
Ensure dust masks (conforming to EN149) are used; Ensure cab doors are closed when loading or out loading to reduce exposure to dust; Take care when entering or exiting grain stores; Use hand rails when climbing onto and off catwalks; Where safety harnesses and lines are available ensure they are used; When cleaning/servicing conveyors and driers ensure they are isolated at the mains. Dust can cause serious illnesses; workers are at risk if they handle hay or straw harvested in damp conditions, exposed to dry dust from harvesting, storage and milling of grains.
Minimising the amount of dust created (particularly in confined spaces) and ensuring that there is adequate ventilation is essential. Starting with a clean working area is important; remove as much dust from floors, walls and rafters as possible, where dust is to be brushed wet the area thoroughly first to prevent dust from rising. Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) should be used as an additional method of control and in conjunction with other methods of control to reduce the level of exposure to dust. If working in grain bins is required, you should always try to avoid entering them until they are empty and well ventilated. However, this is not always possible and entry from the top of the bin may be required. If entering a bin from the top or working on high catwalks then safety harnesses should be worn with appropriate safety lines attached to secure anchor points. Fall arrest harnesses must be inspected by a competent person to check for any damage or wear on a regular basis, at least annually, under the provisions of the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 and the Work at Height Regulations 2005. They should also be inspected prior to use. When working from height and using fall arrest systems a rescue plan must be in place in case of an accident. If you have a chest ailment tell your doctor. You may be required to have a blood test, chest X-ray or lung function test. Repeated exposure can lead to chronic disabling illnesses.
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Every effort has been made to ensure the information provided within this document is fully accurate. However Strutt & Parker LLP accept no responsibility if recipients should act upon any of the information without seeking the appropriate professional advice.
