Campaign to reduce farming deaths

Farmers in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire are being targeted in a new campaign aimed at reducing the number of workers killed and injured.

Agriculture is one of the most hazardous industries, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Last year, 15 people died in south east England as a result of agricultural incidents and there have been 551 major injuries in the sector since 2001.

An HSE event will be held on Wednesday at Berkshire College of Agriculture.

The show will feature scenarios demonstrating issues that cause the majority of injuries, including transport, falls from height and manual handling.

Each scenario will highlight the risks involved and give practical advice on how they can be managed and reduced.

David Head, HSE's principal inspector for the area, said: "Agriculture is still a dangerous industry to work in and the level of death and injury to farmers, workers and members of the public is unacceptable.