Campaign to improve farm safety in Shropshire backed by Stuart Anderson
A campaign to improve farm safety is being backed by Stuart Anderson, MP. Farm Safety Week, run by the Farm Safety Foundation known as ‘Yellow Wellies’, is now in its twelfth year and aims to raise greater awareness of the importance of working safely in farming. It brings together more than 400 partners in five countries to encourage everyone to make our farms safer places to live and work. 2024 marks 10 years of the Farm Safety Foundation – a charity set up by NFU Mutual to raise awareness of, and challenge attitudes to farm safety and poor mental health in the industry.
Farming represents approximately 1.8% of the workforce in Great Britain yet accounts for about 19% of the reported fatal injuries each year. Agriculture has the highest rates of injury and ill health of any industry sector, with the most common types of accident involving vehicles and machinery, falls from heights, lifting and handling, and hazardous substances. To improve farm safety, Farm Safety Week aims to promote good practices and positive stories about the use of innovation and education.
Stuart is also promoting support available to improve farm safety and innovation via his centralised support portal. It includes assistance from Britain’s workplace safety regulator, the Health and Safety Executive including specific interventions and engagement activity with a full range of stakeholders through the Farm Safety Partnerships to promote vehicle and machinery safety messages. Earlier this year, HSE also launched its 2024 agricultural campaign ‘Work Right: Agriculture’. The campaign provides essential information and guidance on health and safety in agriculture by highlighting simple vehicle and livestock safety advice to help keep everyone safe on the farm.
Stuart Anderson said:
“One of my first jobs was as a farm hand. I know how hazardous farming can be and the great sacrifices that are made by our farmers and their families. The safety and health of those in agriculture is a top priority of mine and an issue that I am very keen to improve. I believe that even more can be done to ensure farmers get the right help and support to when they need it, so I am pleased to support Farmers Safety Week.”
For more information on ‘Farm Safety Week’ visit www.yellowwellies.org or follow @yellowwelliesUK on X/Facebook/Instagram using the hashtag #FarmSafetyWeek
