Tackling culture, learning lessons, investing in change - working for safer and healthier farms

My first two IOSH articles for #FarmSafetyWeek (FSW24, 22-26 July), examined the challenges we face in improving health and safety on farms, and the impact of the historical ‘carrot and stick’ approach. Also relevant is a previous blog’ of mine, in which I consider how the new Government could deliver the actions called for in the IOSH Election manifesto.

In this, the last of my three articles, I look to the future and how we might erase the ‘most dangerous industry’ tag that haunts the sector.

Despite advances in technology and farming methods, the UK’s poor farm safety record is mirrored worldwide. A common factor is that farms are family homes, within dangerous workplaces. ‘Risk-acceptance’ is endemic and new ways to influence farmers are needed, but I am hopeful that through collaboration, sharing information on what works and applying (international) research findings, we can encourage the sustainable changes that are necessary.?

Technical measures

New ‘IT’ will help, as it becomes cheaper, and more widely adopted. Yellow Wellies is already using VR headsets to promote ‘situational awareness’. Incidents can be prevented by CCTV and AI/machine learning, detecting and analysing near misses (or ‘near hits’) - an FSW24 theme.

Apps are now available, but still not widely used as a risk-management tool by farmers. ‘Wearables’ and sensors linked to alert or control systems, which canto prevent vehicles striking pedestrians, also need to be adopted.

However, the more productive farmers are not technophobes. GPS auto-guided tractors and harvesters, for example, enable precision farming with less human intervention, but digitally-mapped hazards could prevent dangerous actions (such as making contact with overhead power lines) if interconnected with machine control systems. Using drones to inspect buildings, spray glasshouse roofs, apply pesticides, and so on, will reduce the risk of falls or contamination.

Robots are heralded as the ultimate solution, removing workers from hazards altogether. However, although autonomous machines are being developed for intensive horticulture and arable farming, they will not be cost-effective on many (smaller/mixed) farms for decades (if ever?). Blockages will still need to be cleared in autonomous machines operating in fields 24/7, probably by someone working alone, facing the same risks. Automatic livestock feeding, cleaning and milking systems with remote monitoring reduces handling, but then takes away animal/human ‘familiarity’, increasing the risk of attacks. Animals also still need hands-on care.

IOSH Rural Industries Group (RIG) Vice-Chair Petra Martin has also written about the potential OSH benefits of technology for farming (IOSH Magazine, May 2024). She concluded that long-standing risks are likely to remain largely unaffected by new technologies, at least in the short term. Innovation will bring only moderate solutions, and new risks may tip the balance against the positive gains.?

Building awareness

How can we finally change the underlying ‘risk-acceptance’ culture that’s embedded in farming??

With the demise of HSE’s Safety and Health Awareness Days (SHADs) as well as inspections, less people working on farms and fewer opportunities for interactions at markets or shows, for example, the ‘jungle drums’ have been replaced by social media. Younger people are asking their peers for advice on Instagram or TikTok, ?but less than half of farmers aged over 40 use social media, and many don’t search the internet for information either - even if they can get a signal!

To have greater impact we need to understand why individuals are prepared to put themselves, and often others, at risk and how they can be influenced effectively.

Acting on research

HSE's 'segmentation' research (to help target their resources) illustrates how individuals perceive risk and respond to different stimuli. The Report also provides guidance on language and how ‘messages’ should be tailored to suit each group. This is relevant to intermediaries (including consultants).

Aberdeen University has produced a useful framework and guidance for assessing and training farmers in rarely-covered 'non-technical skills' . This and studies in other countries on influencing behaviours should be shared and applied by all ‘influencers’.

Key influencers

I was once told it would take a generation to ‘change the culture’ and UK’s most successful intermediary, ‘Yellow Wellies’, is now effectively targeting young people. More than 26,000 students throughout UK have been trained and they will encourage improvements on their family farms, or influence others. Yellow Wellies has also trained 200 professionals in agri-businesses and a very informative website. Nearly 100% of young farmers are now aware of its campaigns and key messages; it can be no coincidence that fewer under-40s have been killed since these campaigns started.

Other charities such as AgriKids in Ireland focus on specific topics. Some industry initiatives arose out of personal tragedy, like the Tilly Pass ‘Head To Tow’ scheme, promoting trailer maintenance for safety on the road as well as on farms.?

The Farm Safety Partnership (FSP England) produced useful guidance sponsored by the NFU, but it now needs reinvigorating. IOSH played its part by convening workshops, but more of these events are needed to update ‘influencers’ on the latest research and effective communication tools.

The Wales FSP has produced bi-lingual guidance, and officials from the Welsh Assembly Government gained an understanding of the industry’s needs by being involved directly. This led to new funding for mentors and training (thus improving OSH management). There is also closer engagement in Northern Ireland’s FSP, with a detailed Action Plan and excellent guidance and videos too. #FarmSafetyHasNoBorders !

Case for agri’ ambassadors

During FSW24, Yellow Wellies has called for more volunteer Farm Safety Ambassadors. A ‘Roving Safety Reps’ scheme was trialled a few decades ago, when HSE trained a limited number of workers, members of the union TGWU (now Unite). ?Although standards improved on farms they visited, the scheme was rejected by their employers’ body who feared it would become a trade union recruitment drive.

However, as farmers respond to advice from fellow farmers, perhaps a similar ‘peer review’ approach could be instigated, with well-informed (trained) farmers able to spot hazards and give practical advice. This has been encouraged in Ireland.

However, adequate support would be required from HSE and collaboration between intermediaries essential, to ensure key messages are consistent, timely and reinforced.

A Farm Safety Fund?

To be successful, any initiative requires adequate resources to sustain it. Yellow Wellies’ activities are funded by the NFU-Mutual (through the Farm Safety Foundation charity), having recognised this would reduce insurance claims. With more money, a lot more could be done.

The problem is that HSE does not have the funds (or capacity) and is unlikely to be given a blank cheque to recruit. The farming industry seems unwilling or unable to fund safety initiatives from within, so the Government could usefully establish a central ‘pump-priming’ Farm Safety Fund for worthy projects.

As I said in my pre-election blog, the least the new Government can do is to champion HSE’s old mantra, “Good Health and Safety is Good Business”.

Alan Plom – IOSH Rural Industries Group (RIG) member

See also the recent interview with RIG’s current Chair Mike Whiting , describing the challenges of climate change in the agricultural industry.