This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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HSE targets farm safety in Caithness and Moray
01/10/1998
ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE HEALTH & SAFETY EXECUTIVE
In a bid to reduce workplace accidents on farms, Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will make unannounced visits to inspect agricultural activities in Caithness and Moray in the week starting October 12.
HM Inspectors of Health and Safety Penny Falconer said that tough action would be taken against anyone who flouts health and safety regulations. She said:
"Employers and the self-employed have a legal obligation to identify and assess health and safety risks in their workplace. We expect employers to have involved their staff in controlling potential health risks and safety hazards which could cause accidents.
"We want to prevent accidents to farmers and their workers but we also need to make sure that members of the public, particularly children, do not risk injury while on the farm.
"We will offer advice on health and safety issues to farmers and their staff during inspections, but we will take tough and immediate action if we see anyone flouting regulations and putting lives at risk. Our Inspectors will use their enforcement powers to stop potentially dangerou wrk activity and will consider reporting to the procurator Fiscal where necessary."
HSE Inspectors will check to ensure:
· that children are not at risk;
· that machinery is well maintained and used safely;
· that seasonal work is properly planned and supervised;
· that good livestock handling facilities are used;
· that pesticides, in particular OPs, and other chemicals, including disinfectants, are stored and used safely;
· that occupational health hazards are identified and controlled. HSE raises awareness of heralth risks through its long-running Good Health is Good Business campaign.
BACKGROUND
1. The Caithness and Moray safety inspection blitz will run from Monday October 12 until Friday October 16. It forms part of a programme of events organised by HSE for the European Week for Safety and Health, which runs October 19-25.
2. HM Inspectors of Health & Safety have the power under the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 to carry out inspections of work activity at any reasonable time. If circumstances justify it, the Procurator Fiscal can initiate prosecutions, either summarily or on indictment, which can result in a fine up to £20,000 upon summary conviction, or an unlimited fine and/ or imprisonment upon indictment.
3. Inspectors can serve prohibition notices on immediate risk activity which will effectively stop further work taking place. They can also serve improvement notices which require improvements to be made before work activity commences.
News Release: AG160/98
1 October 1998