ZOE WILSON
STUDENTS in agricultural and land-based college courses are to be given ‘hard-hitting’ safety training so that they can take the message back to their parents' and employers' farms, where accidents and loss of life still exceed every other industrial sector.
A new course, run by the Farm Safety Foundation, in association with Scotland's Rural College, has been introduced to raise awareness of the risks and hazards that farmers can face each day, and help them think about how they can change 'risky' behaviours. There were five fatal accidents in Scotland last year, while there many more incidents on farms which caused serious and life-changing injuries.
The 'Introduction to Farm Safety' course sees small groups of students gather round and look at different scenarios, set-up on different farms, to be then asked to explain what they thought might have happened at each scene, and what actions should be taken, what First Aid could be carried out, if any, and then discuss ways the scenario could be avoided in the future.
NFU Mutual Scotland manager Martin Malone said: “We're determined to do all we can to reduce the toll of deaths and serious injuries resulting from farm accidents. NFU Mutual set up the Farm Safety Foundation three years ago to deliver practical help – and especially training – to help tomorrow’s generation of farmers and crofters develop a safe working mind set at the beginning of their careers.
“It’s great to see that SRUC have signed up to receive the Farm Safety Foundation’s course. The training programme demonstrates the need to put safety first at all times when working on a farm – and the risks of becoming complacent when working with large machinery and livestock on a daily basis."
Mr Malone stressed that there is more work to be done with regards to all generations of farmers working more safely on farms: "We’re calling for other organisations involved with farming to help finance the Farm Safety Foundation so it can expand its farm safety programme.”
Chair of the education division health and safety committee at SRUC, Graeme Ligertwood, said that providing practical and "hard-hitting" training was the best way to emphasise the importance of farm safety to students, particularly with the advancement of farm technology, and encourage them to maintain that education throughout their careers.
“It’s fantastic to have an outside organisation like the Farm Safety Foundation come in right at the start of the student journey to help us emphasise the importance the college places on farm safety, and for our students to face scenarios they could come across on their own farms, when they go home, or in their future workplace,” he said.
Programme manager Stephanie Berkeley added: "As the farmers of the future, young people with a solid knowledge of safe working practices will have a greater capability to make informed and safe decisions which stands the industry in greater stead."
Young farmers who are not currently in further education can still take part in the training, with a 90-minute course which can be given at a young farmers' club meeting. For more information on the Farm Safety Foundation, go online to www.yellowwellies.org
For in-depth news and views on Scottish agriculture, see this Friday’s issue of The Scottish Farmer or visit www.thescottishfarmer.co.uk
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