An Overton farmer is encouraging other farmers to stay safe during the harvest season after an incident left one of his workers with a broken hand and off work for nearly three months.
James Hewetson-Brown runs Ashe Warren Farm and has been working with the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) to bring his machinery up to scratch and make sure workers are properly trained on how to operate it. In addition to his normal farm activities, the third-generation Overton farmer has a thriving business called Coronet Turf, which supplies a unique soilless turf grown on plastic.
The turf, which has been used in a host of productions including all the Harry Potter films, is harvested on site and can be rolled out to create a readymade wildflower meadow. It was while using a bespoke, specially designed turf harvester in November 2009 that a worker got his hand and arm caught between the drive shaft and the frame while he was attempting to free a blockage after his coat and glove snagged on a protruding screw. The dangerous parts were not guarded and the drive hadn’t been disengaged.
Mr Hewetson-Brown said: “Harvests of all kinds present a busy period for farmers. Everyone is under pressure and may overlook things or take shortcuts in order to finish jobs on time. But they need to review whether their machinery is properly safeguarded and whether safe systems of work for dealing with blockages and maintenance have been agreed and properly communicated to staff.
"Where finances allow, farmers should look to invest in modern technology that should be designed not only to keep everyone safer but increase productivity too. But where this is not an option older machinery may need guarding replacing or improving. In addition reminding machine drivers of the importance of following safe stop procedures before anyone accesses any dangerous parts is very important.
“I am keen to run a safe and efficient operation and invest heavily in modern machinery and training for my staff. However, unfortunately for us, although we had recognised that the machine we used was old and in need of improvement, in the time between commissioning a new machine and it being built the accident occurred.”
The new machine, now in operation, is hydraulically driven with all dangerous parts properly safeguarded. HM Inspector of Health and Safety, Michael Baxter, said the total number of agricultural activity-related reported deaths in the UK shot up 50 per cent in 2009-10, from 30 to 45. The number of members of the public killed also went up by 50 per cent, from four to seven, bringing the total number of deaths in the last decade to 436.
“This is a case of where a proper assessment of the risks of working with a bespoke piece of equipment had not been carried out," said Mr Baxter. "It resulted in a worker suffering unnecessary and painful injury and the well-intentioned employer being left a member of staff down and having to cover unforeseen costs. Farmers should ensure that wherever practicable dangerous parts of machinery are properly guarded and drivers of agricultural vehicles should always ensure that the drive is isolated before leaving the driving position or when anyone else approaches.
“Every year there are serious incidents, especially during harvest, where workers are carrying out operations like unblocking machines. I would urge all employers and workers using machinery to make sure they are aware of the risks associated with their equipment and pay heed to HSE’s advice and guidance.”
For more information, visit www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/hsagriculture.htm
