The Farm Safety Foundation has announced the first of four brand new partnerships for the Farm Safety Foundation with the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC).
NFYFC, which has approximately 25,000 members from 630 clubs across England and Wales, is led by young people, for young people. In addition to providing opportunities for members to develop new skills and contribute to their local communities, the NFYFC enables young people to keep abreast of the key issues and trends within agriculture.
The Foundation’s partnership with NFYFC includes sponsorship of their recently formed Youth Forum – a proactive group of young farmers, all under the age of 20, who are passionate about their YFC and are strong advocates for both the organisation and the views of their peer group.
The Farm Safety Foundation was established by NFU Mutual in 2014 as a charity to engage the farmers of the future and help raise awareness of farm safety, change attitudes towards farming safely and reduce the toll of injuries and fatalities which bring a catalogue of heartbreak and misery to numerous families and rural communities every year.
From research carried out the Foundation knew that a creative approach would be needed to deliver this highly emotive message to its target audience. Young Farmers do not want to be preached to, they must identify with the message. The “Yellow Wellies” campaign was developed, led by the image of yellow wellies which asks the question ‘Who would fill your boots?’ in the event of an accident or death.
The Foundation hopes to see a noticeable reduction in accidents and deaths over the period of the campaign – but accepts that changing behaviour will take time.
The Farm Safety Foundation’s Top Tips for Staying Safe on the Farm:
You can’t work safely unless you know how to – make sure someone experienced shows you what to do or that you have been properly trained.
The Farm Safety Foundation’s Top Tips for Staying Safe on the Farm:
Being hit by a moving vehicle, driven or runaway, is the biggest cause of fatalities. Keep pedestrians and vehicles apart if possible, ensure handbrakes are well maintained and follow ‘safe stop’ procedures (leave the gear in neutral, put on the handbrake and take out the key).
Roofs are often fragile, even if they don’t look it. Falls from roofs cause several deaths every year. Treat all roofs as fragile and use equipment such as harnesses, coverings and guard rails.
Riding a quad bike is not the same as riding a motorbike. Make sure that you are trained in the correct techniques and wear a helmet, as most injuries are sustained to the head.
Livestock can be unpredictable even when you know them well. Using the right equipment and following safe working practices is better than trusting in the good nature of a bull or a cow and calf.
Don’t forget overhead power lines – many accidents happen because people drive underneath power lines, forgetting that they are working with equipment raised.
Slurry, effluent and moist grain stores are confined spaces and can all contain high levels of toxic gases – sometimes causing the death of a rescuer as well. You should never enter them unless you have made sure it is safe.
