James Harris, the recruitment director at REAL Success, a company providing recruitment services and people development support, emphasised that farm health and safety is not only a ‘box-ticking exercise’ but something that must be taken seriously.
Farm Health and Safety Week began on Monday 22, with Harris highlighting the necessity of bridging the gap between governing compliance and cultural integration.
“People still think health and safety is imposed upon them, but we have to cross the bridge between compliance and culture. As long as it’s a box-ticking exercise it’s not true farm safety.” Harris noted.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reports that the agricultural sector experiences a fatal injury rate 18 times higher than the average across all industries.
Over the past year, 34 individuals have died on UK farms, with others sustaining serious injuries.
“These statistics highlight a critical need for change in how health and safety is approached on farms.” Harris pointed out.
“Most accidents are as a result of habit, haste, fatigue or improperly maintained machinery. Safety shouldn’t be an afterthought, it should be a forethought – we often fit an alarm on our houses after being burgled.”
Harris noted that the current approach to health and safety often emphasises compliance rather than developing a safety culture.
“Compliance implies following rules because they are required, not valued. In contrast, a health and safety culture integrates these practices into daily operations, making them as important as tending to livestock or maintaining equipment.
“Farming is often seen as inherently risky, with accidents viewed as part of the job. This attitude needs to shift towards a proactive approach to safety.
He added: “Training and education are essential in this effort, providing farmers and workers with the skills to identify and mitigate risks. Farm safety is also about how hard you’re expecting people to work – accidents happen when people are tired.”
Harris stressed that health and safety should be an ongoing commitment, with regular risk assessments, safety drills, and protective gear becoming standard practice.
“Leadership is crucial – farm owners and managers must set an example by showing that safety is a core value.”
According to Harris, cultivating a strong health and safety culture offers benefits beyond reducing accidents.
“It can increase productivity by minimising disruptions caused by injuries, and enhance farming’s reputation, therefore making it more appealing to potential recruits.
In a time when many sectors struggle to attract talent, this could be a significant advantage.
“By prioritising health and safety, we can protect those who work in this essential industry and ensure its sustainability for future generations.”
Harris concluded: “It’s time to change our mindset. In farming, as in any other industry, safety must come first.”
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