The sessions are being supported by rural insurance firm Cornish Mutual as a part of its ‘FarmSafe’ initiative. They are being jointly organised by the Devon Federation of Young Farmers Clubs (YFCs), Bicton College and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
The event, involving five practical and interactive workshops, will take place on Wednesday 18 April between 10am and 4pm at Bicton College. The day is open to local farmers and students at Bicton College, as well as members of Devon’s YFCs.
The main topics, each given their own title, include:
• Rolling in the deep (the safe use of ATVs otherwise known as quad bikes)
• Has your cow got a crush on you (how to handle livestock)
• The chainsaw massacre (the safe use of chainsaws)
• One strap is crap (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations)
• And farmers on the roof (working at heights)
Cornish Mutual, which has a team of locally-based Inspectors across Devon, has provided sponsorship of the Devon Federation of Young Farmers Clubs for a number of years, helping to provide skills training and promote recruitment.
The rural insurance firm launched the ‘FarmSafe’ campaign earlier this year to raise awareness of health and safety issues in agriculture - which, according to the HSE, has the worst record of any industry in the UK for recorded deaths and serious injuries. The latest figures from the HSE show that there were more deaths in the agricultural industry in the South West than in any other area of England, with six farm workers and two members of the public suffering fatal injuries in 2010/2011
Alan Goddard, managing director of Cornish Mutual says: “Young Farmers Clubs are an integral part of the rural community in Devon, and their members are the future of the farming industry, which is why we are delighted to be supporting them once again this year.
“As a local rural insurer in the South West, reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries on Devon’s farms is the number one priority for us. We’re thrilled that Devon’s Young Farmers Clubs are supporting our ‘FarmSafe’ initiative by organising these health and safety workshops, and I would urge any local young farmers to sign up for a place.”
The Devon Federation of Young Farmers has 38 clubs across the county, with more than 1,400 members. Each club is joined together by six groups – North Devon, Tarka, Exe Valley, East Devon, Haldon and South Dartmoor. The groups organise a number of events each year including county sports and competitions, training, foreign exchanges, entertainment evenings and balls.
Nick Creasy, county organiser for Devon Federation of Young Farmers Clubs adds: “Devon’s Young Farmers rely on the consistent backing of companies like Cornish Mutual, who have been supporting us for over 60 years. Without their help we wouldn’t be able to run workshops like this, which will cover the potentially life-saving essential basics of health and safety on the farm.”
Limited spaces are still available for the health and safety workshops at Bicton College on Wednesday 18 April. To sign up for the workshops, contact Nick Creasy on 01392 272189 or email nick@devonyfc.co.uk.
As well as sponsoring Devon Young Farmers, Cornish Mutual is also involved with Young Farmers across Dorset, Somerset and Cornwall. For more information about Cornish Mutual’s ‘FarmSafe’ initiative visit www.cornishmutual.co.uk/farmsafe
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