50% of machinery not fit for use

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) today urged farmers in Kent to make sure that they are properly maintaining tractors, trailers and other mobile equipment that is being used both on and off the road. If people don't maintain their vehicles they could face enforcement action from Kent Police, HSE or VOSA. They could even face legal procedures and the inconvenience of their vehicle being out of use.

Over the last 8 weeks HSE, VOSA (Vehicle Operators' Services Agency) & Kent Police have been undertaking random checks of vehicles both in fields and on the roads and it is apparent that farmers are willing to use poorly maintained and unsafe vehicles. Checks so far have taken place in South Kent, Romney Marsh area and North East Kent, Thanet area.

Later this month the three organisations will be carrying out further spot checks on farm vehicles being used both on the road and in fields to ensure that they are in good repair.

HSE has been promoting the use of the BAGMA (British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association) vehicle health check scheme during spot checks undertaken so far and will continue to so later in the year.

Mike Walters, HSE Inspector in Kent says: "A well maintained vehicle being driven by a competent person should be safe to use both on the farm and on the road. By adopting the BAGMA vehicle health check scheme, farmers will be able to ensure that their tractors and trailers are maintained in safe working order and are roadworthy. From the random checks undertaken so far over 50% of vehicles have been taken out of use until they have been made safe.

"A basic check can take no more than five minutes, with a more in-depth check lasting approximately 45 minutes to an hour by the time all parts have been checked thoroughly. This time will contribute to the prevention of the needless deaths and suffering of those injured by agricultural vehicles every year.

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"I urge all farmers to make sure their tractors, trailers and other mobile equipment are safe to use both on the farm and on the road by doing regular checks on their vehicles, using the scheme and by only using vehicles which are up to the task.

"Later in the year, along with VOSA and Kent Police, HSE will be carrying out spot checks on farm vehicles being used on roads and in fields. We will not hesitate to deal with vehicles that are found to be unsafe, no matter how inconvenient this may be for the farmer."