Up to 300 farmers are expected to attend a free training event in Lancaster tomorrow (Wednesday 12th October) to get to grips with health and safety in one of Britain’s most dangerous industries.
Figures from the Health and Safety Executive show agricultural workers are ten times more likely than most workers to be killed while at work. On average, between 40 and 50 workers are killed on British farms every year, despite less than 1.5 percent of the population working in the industry.
In Lancashire, there have been three deaths and 51 major injuries in the five years between 2005/6 and 2009/10.
The event, which is at the Lancaster Auction Mart on Wyresdale Road, will include practical demonstrations on quad bike safety, working with farm machinery and handling livestock.