Farming business fined for multiple health and safety risks

A farming business has been fined for multiple health and safety breaches which placed employees and others at risk over many years, in an attempt to cut costs.

A site visit by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) identified multiple, serious health and safety failings, including a barn which was deemed "unsafe to enter" due to its poor structural state, a shed with an insecure roof, roof sheeting in poor condition which in some cases was falling from buildings and broken and rusty bull pens.

Two of the five most common causes of fatal injuries in the agriculture sector are associated with animals and falling objects.

Using safety signage to warn of potential dangers can help reduce risk, however it is important that employers maintain their workplace and equipment to a respectable standard to ensure that employees and members of the public are not put at risk.

Buildings which are deemed unsafe should be marked with "Danger Keep Clear / Danger Keep Out" safety signs and cornered off appropriately until either repaired or demolished. Animals should be secured in well maintained, suitable enclosures and safety signs should warn of potential dangers.

The HSE is focusing on the dangers of livestock as part of this year’s Your Farm, Your Future campaign. The campaign has advice on working with livestock in order to help keep farmers and workers safe.