Partnership Gives Safety Messages To Farm Workers In Alnwick

UK - The dangers of lone working and the importance of proper training and wearing the correct safety equipment have been highlighted in a rescue exercise involving HSE, Alnwick District Council, RAF Boulmer and the Forestry Commission. In an exercise held in Northumberland, a lone farm-worker who had ‘fallen off' his quad bike was rescued by a helicopter scrambled from 202 Squadron at RAF Boulmer.

In the scenario, the forestry worker is alone in an isolated and inaccessible part of Northumberland when he suffers an accident which is made worse by the fact that he is not wearing a helmet. As he fails to return to his farm and does not answer radio calls, RAF Boulmer is contacted and a helicopter is scrambled to search for and rescue him, bringing him back for medical attention.

David Snowball, HSE's Regional Director, commented:

"We wanted this ‘rescue' to heighten awareness of safety at work. It is part of a week-long series of workshops and events promoting Alnwick as a safer working community. Working alone in isolated areas means that any accident potentially becomes much more serious because of the delay in getting treatment. Employers need to identify the important risks and act sensibly. They can reduce the possibility of serious incidents and protect their employees by training them properly and making sure they have all the necessary safety equipment. Workers can help themselves by wearing the protective equipment provided by their employers and where it is not available, insisting that employers provide it."

Squadron Leader Mark Vickery of 202 Squadron, RAF Boulmer said:

"We are always happy to help people who are in trouble regardless of the circumstances. However, to scramble a helicopter to conduct a rescue costs over £16,000 per hour. It uses a considerable amount of taxpayer's money and is frustrating to be called to incidents that could have been avoided by following the correct safety procedures."

Partners working together in the events include the Duke of Northumberland, Alnwick District Council, The Forestry Commission, and more than 20 other organisations across the District, including Cheviot Foods and Hardys and Greys.

Linden Dodds of Alnwick District Council, added: "Alnwick regularly tops polls as one of the best places in the country to live. We want to make it one of the safest places to work too. This week of events gives organizations the opportunity to get expert advice and support on implementing regulations and improving safety processes – and hopefully to prevent accidents from happening."

SOURCE: HSE