Concerns are growing over the halting of farm inspections by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), amid claims the decision poses a significant risk to agricultural workers.
The Farm Safety Partnership, which promotes safe systems of work within all sectors of agriculture, has recently been told the HSE would no longer be running agricultural compliance event inspections once the current season finishes at the end of spring 2024.
Speaking for the first time as chair of the partnership, NFU deputy president David Exwood warned “we cannot afford to compromise on the safety of our farmers, farm workers, or those living on or visiting farms”.
“The decision to halt inspections is deeply troubling and we urge the government and HSE to reconsider and continue to work collaboratively with farmers to help ensure they are compliant," he said.
“We simply must prioritise the wellbeing of the nation’s farmers and growers.”
The HSE is switching to a focus on occupational health issues rather than preventative general health and safety inspections. It will continue to provide investigative inspections in response to serious incidents such as on-farm accidents or deaths.
But Mr Exwood said: “While the HSE assures us that investigative inspections will continue in response to serious incidents, the lack of all regular inspections, training and events leaves a notable gap in proactive and preventative safety measures that could prevent accidents and save lives.
NFU Deputy President David Exwood
“Agriculture has one of the highest rates of fatalities and serious injuries in any workplace and to help bring this number down, as a sector we need to work on changing the culture of farm safety. This decision by HSE completely goes against that goal.
“We are calling on Defra and the Department for Work and Pensions to recognise the critical safety implications of this decision, urgently review the potential impacts and establish a clear plan to prioritise the safety of those in the sector.
“The FSP is committed to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of agricultural workers. We will be engaging in conversations with the government and the wider industry to support the development and implementation of policies and practices that safeguard the livelihoods of those working in agriculture.”
The partnership is made up of a variety of organisations, and its work is underpinned by the Farm Safety Charter, which taps into the expertise of all groups with agricultural interests, including training providers, and machinery dealers.
CLA deputy president Gavin Lane, a former chair of the partnership, said: “Farming has an unenviable record of being the most dangerous industry in the UK. While we have seen some improvements in recent years, too many farmers are still being injured or killed so it is concerning that the HSE is withdrawing from farm inspections.
Gavin Lane, deputy president of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA)
“The whole industry must be involved in improving our poor safety record, from manufacturers to the government to farmers themselves.”
In response to the concerns, a HSE spokesperson said: “The Farm Safety Partnership and its member organisations play a key role in changing behaviours and helping the sector to take ownership of its poor health and safety record. Our commitment to the partnership is unchanged.
“While we will continue to inspect and investigate where appropriate, our range of interventions is much broader. Our recent campaign was a successful example of using HSE and industry voices on farms to reinforce safety messages and reach a wide range of farmers and farm workers.”
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