HL Deb 30 June 1959 vol 217 cc450-2

3.6 p.m.

EARL WALDEGRAVE rose to move, That the Agriculture (Stationary Machinery) Regulations, 1959, be made in the form of the draft laid before this House on June 16. The noble Earl said: My Lords, the purpose of these Regulations, like that of most of their predecessors under the Agriculture Safety Act, 1956, is to safeguard the worker. The Regulations apply to Great Britain. Your Lordships will remember that, under this Act, we have already brought in Regulations for first aid, power take-offs, ladders, work places, circular saws, and the safety of children, and now we come to stationary machinery. The Regulations now before your Lordships deal with a group of farm machines under the general heading of "Stationary machinery" and their scope includes farm machinery designed or adapted for stationary use only. Prime movers used to drive such machines are also included. Threshers, hullers, balers and trussers need special treatment and are left for a later set of Regulations.

Guards of adequate strength must be provided for components such as shafting, pulleys, belts, flywheels and so forth, unless these components are safely positioned, out of the way of workers. Conveyors or other slow-moving belts or chains need only be guarded at the run-on point where they go on to the pulley; this also applies to primary driving belts, except where they are part of a fixed installation, when the whole length of the belt must be guarded. Machines which grind or similarly treat grain, and those which prepare feeding-stuffs such as roots, hay, et cetera, must have guards on their feeding inlets and discharge outlets.

Readily accessible stopping devices must be available for both machines and prime movers. These will, for prime movers, often be switches, and there are special requirements for their effectiveness, such as clear identification with the prime mover concerned. For most of the requirements employers will be allowed two years to make the necessary arrangements. The comparatively easy guarding of feeding inlets and discharge outlets of certain machines that deal with grain must be done in twelve months. This shorter period also applies to provision of adequate light and maintenance of belts.

As with earlier Safety Regulations, responsibility is largely on the employer, in that he must not let a worker use prescribed machinery unless it conforms with the regulations. But the employee must use the facilities provided and must keep guards in position. He must also report damage to guards. No responsibility has been laid on manufacturers and dealers. The guards required frequently depend on the position of the machine in relation to the worker or to other machines of which the manufacturer could not be expected to be aware. The layout of an installation is primarily the concern of the farmer. Nevertheless, organisations representing both manufacturers and dealers have been consulted during the framing of the Regulations, and I am confident that they will co-operate.

As with some earlier Safety Regulations, we have made provision for certificates of exemption. But, once again, these would be considered only in very special circumstances, and not just because compliance might, for some reason, be difficult. The safety measures required are essentially simple. We have endeavoured to deal with causes of accidents in a realistic but flexible manner. Interested organisations have been consulted, and the Regulations as drafted have been accepted by all sides of the farming industry. We shall again use all available means to inform people concerned of their responsibilities: publicity will include leaflets explaining the detailed requirements, and more general announcements as reminders. My Lords, I beg to move.

Moved, That the Agriculture (Stationary Machinery) Regulations, 1959, be made in the form of the draft laid before this House on June 16.—(Earl Waldegrave.)

LORD WISE

May I briefly commend these particular Regulations? I well remember the passing of the Act which we brought into operation in order to safeguard the farm worker in his daily task. The great point about the Regulations is that they cover all the likely troubles, and I am glad to hear that publicity will be given to them, because the Regulations and the Act not only affect the employers but also throw an obligation on the employee. I think that, with these two working together, we shall be able to reduce the very large number of accidents which do happen and which could be avoided by the best farming practice. I am glad to commend the Regulations.

On Question, Motion agreed to.