Potato farmers are being reminded of the importance of managing risks to workers during harvest as the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launches its latest inspection initiative.
HSE inspectors will be visiting farms across the country that grow, pick and process potatoes over the next few months.
The work safety body wants to ensure risks during the harvesting season are being controlled and measures are in place to protect farmers and their workers.
The initiative announcement comes after the latest HSE statistics show that there have been 30 deaths on farms in Great Britain over the last 12 months.
Incidents during potato harvesting season remain a common cause of serious and fatal injury and recurring causes include entanglement with dangerous parts of machines, being struck or run over by vehicles and falls from height.
Throughout the inspection initiative, inspectors will be checking regulations and safety measures such as if haulm and clod rollers are properly guarded, PTO guards are in good condition and harvester operators have been trained.
HSE’s head of agriculture, Rick Brunt, said: “The risks during potato harvesting are well-known but the precautions are straightforward. Farmers and their employees need to work together to make sure equipment is safe and work is well-planned.
“This inspection initiative is about ensuring those participating in any harvesting activity remain safe and go home from their work healthy.
“HSE is calling on anyone involved with the potato harvesting season to do what they can to reduce the likelihood of incidents on their farms.”
