§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many children under the age of 16 have been killed on farms in each year since 1990 as a result of an accident arising from agricultural work. [42609]
§ Angela EagleThe numbers of fatalities to children aged under 16 in agriculture (i) are shown below:
Year Fatal 1990–91 6 1991–92 2 1992–93 8 1993–94 3 1994–95 2 1995–96 3 1996–97 8 1997–981 5 Total 37 1 Provisional Notes:
1. For the years 1990–91 to 1994–95 agriculture is defined by Standard Industrial Classification 1980 code '0100' Agriculture and Horticulture, and for 1995–96 to 1997–98 by Standard Industrial Classification 1992 code '0' Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing Hunting and related services
2. Data include injuries to children aged 1 to 15
3. Years commencing 1 April
§ Mr. ToddTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many accidents on farms there were in(a) 1995, (b) 1996 and (c) 1997; and how many (i) were fatal and (ii) involved children. [42582]
§ Angela EagleThe numbers of injuries in Agriculture1 are shown in the table:
Year Total number of injuries Number of fatalities Fatalities involving children 1995–96 1,953 45 3 1996–97 2,548 64 8 1997–982 2,373 48 5 1 Agriculture is defined by Standard Industrial Classification 1992 code '0' Agriculture, Hunting, Forestry and Fishing 2 Provisional Notes:
1. Data include injuries to children aged 1 to 15
2. Years commencing 1 April
3. 1996–97 and 1997–98 injury figures, excluding fatalities, cannot be directly compared with those of previous years which were reported under different regulations
§ Mr. PickthallTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he is taking to improve health and safety on farms. [42789]
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§ Angela EagleThe Government are actively promoting improved health and safety in agriculture by informing the industry of hazards and the practical steps to reduce the levels of risk. Most of this work is undertaken by the Health and Safety Executive and includes
targeted enforcement action and inspection 'blitzes';the 'Good Health is Good Business Campaign';attendance at agricultural shows to publicise hazards and provide advice on reducing risks;the production of guidance material, much of which is free; andworking through intermediaries, such as the Transport and General Workers Union and the National Farmers Union.
§ Mr. PickthallTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many fatal accidents there were involving tractors and how many of those involved children in the last 12 months for which records are available. [42773]
§ Angela EagleDuring the period 1 April 1997 to 31 March 1998 provisional figures for fatal accidents involving tractors in agriculture show that 6 fatalities were reported to HSE. Of these, 2 were to children, neither of whom were directly involved in operating the tractors.
§ Mr. PickthallTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with the TGWU rural workers section on improving health and safety records on farms. [42790]
§ Angela EagleI last met the Transport and General Workers Union Rural and Allied Workers section to discuss health and safety in October 1997.