The Institution of Agricultural Engineers is one of the key supporters of Farm Safety Week 17-21 July, managed and funded by the Farm Safety Foundation (or Yellow Wellies as many know them).
Over the past 10 years the annual focus has grown and now involves over 400 partners in five countries - England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Now in its 11th year, this annual event raises awareness of the impacts of farm accidents on the industry and community and promotes the importance of farming safely.
According to Stephanie Berkeley, manager of the Farm Safety Foundation, the charity leading the campaign: “While there are signs that attitudes and behaviours are changing in the industry, this change is not coming fast enough – especially for those that have been affected by life-changing or life-ending incidents across the UK & Ireland over the past year.
Farm Safety Week is an opportunity to come together as an industry and recognise those lost to and impacted by incidents on farms. Whether new to the industry or farming for years, we all have a role to play in improving the poor safety record that we can’t seem to shake. This week is about raising awareness of our responsibilities as farmers, farm workers, employees or contractors and providing practical advice to make every day safe.
Charlie Nicklin CEO of IAgrE added: “We are proud to support the annual Farm Safety Week campaign. A campaign that spans five countries can really draw attention to, and reduce the injury risk that farmers and farm workers face on a daily basis. When many voices join together to drive a change, this is when it can happen. We should be farming safely every day of the year not just during Farm Safety Week.”
For more information on ‘Farm Safety Week’ visit www.yellowwellies.org or follow @yellowwelliesUK on Twitter/Facebook/Instagram using the hashtag #FarmSafetyWeek