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NAAC head warns of worker fatigue ahead of busy period

Philip Case 04 June 2024
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© Tim Scrivener© Tim Scrivener

The head of the UK’s only organisation that represents agricultural contractors has warned of the risk to life to farmworkers posed by a lack of sleep.

Jill Hewitt, the chief executive of the National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC), says stress levels are already high among many farmers, farmworkers and contractors due to the impact of months of extreme weather which have added serious pressure on farming operations such as silaging.

See also: Top farming safety tips from Farmers Weekly readers

Ahead of the busy harvest period, the NAAC has republished a leaflet in association with the NFU, which includes guidance for farmers and contractors to work safely in partnership while contractors are on the farm.

The leaflet includes valuable advice and a checklist on the steps farmers and contractors should take before work begins.

Ms Hewitt said: “There have already been three UK farm fatalities since 1 April, including one last week which involved a quad bike.

“We are continuing to see the same types of fatal farm accidents, such as deaths involving farm vehicles or moving machinery, which is soul-destroying.

“One of the biggest causes of farming accidents is fatigue. Everybody has been stood down for months due to the wet weather, but now it’s go, go, go.”

‘Take breaks’

Getting enough sleep and taking regular breaks were vital to prevent accidents from occurring, she added. “Make sure workers don’t get overtired because that’s when accidents tend to happen.”

To prevent accidents involving machinery, Ms Hewitt reminded drivers to use the Safe Stop procedure when operating farm vehicles (handbrake on, controls in neutral, engine off, keys out), switch off engines when vehicles are not in use and ensure pto shafts are covered.

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