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30 November 2005 - Farming Industry to Reap
Benefits of New Qualifications
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A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Vocational Qualifications' (VQ's)
initiative, recognised by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), on
health and safety in the farming industry, is aimed at reducing the poor health
and safety record currently within the farming industry.
The initiative is the first of it's kind, with the
qualifications providing courses and training in health and safety for people
within the farming industry.
Accidents and injuries on farms not only affects farm workers,
but also families and children as the figures below show:
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In 2004, 47 deaths occurred, with many more serious injuries and
ill-health.
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Over the past 5 years, 231 people have been killed in the
farming industry.
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Of the 231 people killed, 9 were children under the age of 16.
The aim of the new VQ's is to reduce these dreadful figures, by
providing the necessary health and safety training and knowledge to those
working in the farming industry.
The qualifications have been developed by the HSE with help from
such organisations as the following:
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National Farmers' Union.
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Transport and General Workers' Union.
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LANTRA - the national training organisation for the land-based
sector.
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NPTC - National Proficiency Tests Council.
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QCA - The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority.
The qualifications available will be on three different levels
as follows:
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Level 2 Certificate - Working Safely (in
Agriculture/Horticulture), is for anyone already working in the industry or
about to join it and will focus on the identification of farm hazards.
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Level 3 Certificate - Controlling Risks to Health and Safety, is
for supervisors, unit managers and worker Safety Representatives and will
require candidates to undertake risk assessments.
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Level 4 Certificate - Managing Risks to Health and Safety, is
for Senior Managers and owners of large agricultural or horticultural businesses
and will cover management issues such as producing health and safety policies.
Each of the courses will be geared to the type of farming in
which candidates are familiar and will have a strong practical base.
Each candidate will be assessed at the end of the training period, to make sure
they have reached the required standard, prior to the qualification being
awarded.
HSE Inspector Mr. Alastair Mitchell explained:
“The farming industry’s health and safety record is poor, and
these VQs are aimed at anyone working in the industry, from farm workers to
supervisors and managers.
“These qualifications should help improve the education,
skills and competences of the workforce and contribute towards making farms
safer places to work.”
Further information on training courses for the VQs can be
obtained from the following:
Lantra Awards on 024 7641 9703 or the NPTC on 024 7685 7300.
HSE's agriculture fatal injuries report for 2004/05 can be
accessed from their webpage by clicking the following:
Fatal Injuries Report 2004/05 and HSE’s priorities for farming
Article by Alexandra Johnston
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