04/11/2010 - Serious farm injuries on the rise
There has been a 40% increase in the number of major injuries sustained on British farms in the past three years, official figures have revealed.
Between April last year and March 2010 there were 640 serious injuries, including broken bones or amputations, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said. This is compared with 599 in the same period the year before.
Last year, a total of 38 people were killed as a result of work carried out on farms, it was reported in June. This figure compares with 25 the year before and is higher than the average of 37 for the previous five years.
The figures show that agriculture remains the most dangerous industry in Britain, as eight workers per 100,000 suffered fatal injuries on British farms in 2009/2010.
Sandy Blair, HSE's board champion for agriculture, said: "This isn't about statistics - it is about the farming community itself being able to take action to prevent these serious, life-changing or life-ending injuries. If we're going to see sustainable change, it needs to be led from within farming itself.
"More worrying is the estimate that only around 30% of agricultural injuries are reported.
"Each death or injury leaves a trail of misery and suffering for individuals and farming families. It's more important than ever that we work together to get this right."
Copyright © Press Association 2010
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