51AVÊÓƵ

From the editor: 'Even if takes a bit longer to do a job, keeping you and your family safe is always key'

This week's blog is from Alex Black, Farmers Guardian's head of news and business.

Alex Black
clock • 2 min read
51AVÊÓƵsafety is key and should always be a priority
Image:

51AVÊÓƵsafety is key and should always be a priority

STATISTICS of farming's poor safety record are brought up time and again with warnings and advice on how to be safer on farm. 

But it is real stories from the likes of Louise Bunford which really hit home and show how an ordinary day on farm can swiftly turn to disaster. 

With schools reopening this week, children from farming families will be returning to education following a summer spent making memories with their families in the countryside. Those families will have spent similar days in the last few weeks of the holiday, enjoying time together as a family working on-farm. 

Listen to the podcast:

But the tragic story of Tomos Bunford serves as a stark reminder of what is really at risk in this industry. Often that risk involves farmers' lives or, in this instance, one of the children. 

Losing a child is, as Louise says, every parent's worst nightmare. And we have to thank her for speaking on such a difficult topic and sharing her memories of Tomos on our podcast this week, two years on from his death aged just nine. 

We still have a long way to go in shifting attitudes to safety, with shocking statements of why people fail to wear helmets on quad bikes including simply feeling foolish with one on. 

As this week has shown during the warm weather when people have raced to get silage in or sought to sheet up clamps late into the evening, it is often tempting to save time by not doing things in the safest way or taking time to make the correct risk assessments. 

Farming can often feel like a lonely job and one which is not appreciated by the wider public. As the latest ridiculous survey suggests people want a tax on red meat, it can often feel like the best option is to get your head down, focus on the work in-hand and crack on. 

But, as Tomos' story tragically shows, even the most mundane tasks can have inexplicable outcomes.

Even if takes a bit longer to do a job, keeping you and your family safe is always key. 

Case 9564wd Tractor pick up hitch.

£±Ê°¿´¡

2023 Case CVX175

£±Ê°¿´¡

John Deere 6130M TLS

£±Ê°¿´¡

More on 51AVÊÓƵSafety

Cost of farm fires exceeds £110m

Cost of farm fires exceeds £110m

51AVÊÓƵfires were larger-scale and costlier in 2023, with calls for farmers to review and update fire prevention methods

Alex Black
clock 26 November 2024 • 2 min read
Stock firm fined £80k after worker suffers fractured skull

Stock firm fined £80k after worker suffers fractured skull

Employee left with 'horrific injuries' after telehandler bucket becomes detached

clock 10 November 2024 • 1 min read
Parents pay tribute to son following farm shooting

Parents pay tribute to son following farm shooting

Eight-year-old Jay Cartmell was 'loving, kind and full of mischief', say his heartbroken mum and dad

clock 09 October 2024 • 2 min read