AIC campaigns for safer farm deliveries By Justin Stanton A
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CAMPAIGN to make farm deliveries and collections safer has been launched by the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC).
The AIC, which represents feed and other suppliers, said its members are losing a combined total of three years' worth of working days every year because of accidents while carrying out collections and deliveries. It has produced guidance that is being sent to farmers.
Technical manager Garry Rudd said: "There is commitment from the agricultural industry to deliver improvements in this area via the Farm Safety Partnership, which includes the National Farmers Union and the Health and Safety Executive."
He said the campaign means farmers will have to review improvements to their facilities or access areas, but in many cases this is likely to only amount to a small investment. Simply marking the delivery point clearly, while keep ing it clear of obstructions and well lit, may be all that is required, but the expectation is that both farmers and operators will take a common-sense approach to the campaign.
Rudd added: "Bulk blown deliveries, representing more than 85% of feed deliveries, accounted for the majority of on-farm delivery accidents and near-misses. Accidents generally involve slips, trips and falls, together with some crush injuries and injuries from livestock." The key contributing factors are: • poor access; • poor lighting; • inadequate delivery points; • unsafe bins; • home-made storage bins; • uneven or unstable ground; • overhead cables; and • traditional buildings being too small.
The campaign also highlights best practice, including such factors as clearly marked bins and the absence of children or livestock from the delivery point. The AIC, which has more than 300 members, aims to have communicated its campaign to its members' customers by the autumn harvest.
• The AIC will present details of its campaign at Tip-ex at llam and 2pm on Friday 31 May in Hall C, the Hatrogate International Centre. Go to tip-ex.co.uk to register for the event.