§ Mr. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many accidents have been suffered by persons working with baling machines during each of the last five years for which records are available, and how many and what percentage of such accidents resulted in death and in serious injury, respectively.
§ Mr. GummerDuring the period from 1 January 1978 to 31 December 1982, Her Majesty's Agricultural Inspectorate investigated 52 accidents involving baling machines. The numbers investigated each year are set out in the table below.
Fatalities Serious injuries Other injuries Total 1978 1 1 7 9 1979 2 2 12 16 1980 1 1 8 10 1981 1 2 7 10 1982 1 1 5 7 TOTAL 6 7 39 52
§ Mr. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many accidents have been suffered by persons working with baling machines so far in 1983; and how many and what percentage of such accidents resulted in death and in serious injury, respectively.
§ Mr. GummerDuring the period from 1 January 1983 to 7 July 1983 Her Majesty's Agricultural Inspectorate has undertaken investigations into five accidents involving baling machines. Of these, two resulted in fatalities and one in a serious injury.
§ Mr. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether, in view of the latest deaths suffered by persons working at baling machines, he will institute an inquiry into the operation and use of such machines; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerAll reported serious accidents occurring on farms are investigated by Her Majesty's Agricultural Inspectorate, and recent accidents involving baling machines are under investigation. Preliminary reports indicate that these accidents emphasise the need for machines to be adequately guarded and for the power to a machine to be disconnected and the engine stopped before maintenance is attempted.