§ Sir Peter Millsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further steps he proposes to take to improve farm safety; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. FennerResponsibilities for farm safety rest primarily with the Health and Safety Executive.
Accidents on farms result largely from an inadequate understanding by farmers, their families and their employees of the hazards associated with agricultural 260W buildings, machinery and livestock. It is for all those who are in charge of, or who themselves undertake, agricultural operations or who are responsible for children on farms to become much more safety conscious, to identify the danger points, to ensure that the proper safety precautions are followed at all times and to recognise the importance of adequate training in accident prevention.
We therefore welcome the initiative of the Health and Safety Executive in publishing its report on fatal accidents on farms "Agricultural Black Spot — A Study of Fatal Accidents", copies of which have, I understand, been placed in the Library of the House. This brings home in a readable and graphically illustrated form just how easy it is to become another farm fatality. I believe that this publication should be read by everyone who live or works on a farm.