How to keep workers, friends and family safe on your farm

08 November 2022

farmland, landscape

Always provide safety briefings to keep new temporary workers or friends and family members safe while on your farm, advises NFU Mutual Risk Management Services.

“Temporary workers and even friends and family members who are helping you out may be at extra risk of accidents, especially if they are not from a farming background themselves or if they don’t know how your specific farm works and the hazards that are present,” says Evita van Gestel from NFU Mutual Risk Management Services Ltd.

“People not familiar with farms may not be aware of the hazards presented by machinery, livestock and other risks such as working at height.

“That’s why it’s vital everyone working or helping out gets a full safety briefing when they arrive, together with an assessment of their skills and abilities. Regular checks are also needed to make sure they are aware of safety procedures and have the right equipment and protective clothing.”

Employers' Liability insurance

Employers’ Liability (EL) insurance covers your liability towards employees who sustain a work-related injury or illness. In the majority of circumstances, EL insurance is a legal requirement in this country; with the main exception being those who employ only family members. According to the gov.uk website, fines can be issued on a daily basis to businesses which have not taken out Employers’ Liability cover where they are legally required to. A key area to be mindful of is the fact that a worker does not have to be paid to be classed as an employee.

If you use volunteers to help in your farm at harvest or other times of the year, even if they are not directly remunerated, they could be classed as employees in the eyes of the law and you should discuss this with your NFU Mutual Agent.  

Claims

Costs in connection with claims following injuries to employees can be high and most insurers provide a limit of £10,000,000 as standard. This level of cover is offered because when assessing EL claims courts factor in medical costs, lost income and for severe injuries, lifetime care expenses.

The checklist

NFU Mutual Risk Management Services Temporary Worker Safety Checklist:

  • Provide initial briefings on the farm’s operations, hazards and safety procedures including what to do when something goes wrong
  • Providing full safety briefings initially can help reduce the risk of accidents and improve productivity
  • Brief all new workers not only on what they are allowed to do, but also on what they are not allowed to do
  • Ask workers if they have any limitations to being able to do physical work
  • Don’t be tempted to skip briefings when workers or friends come onto farms at short notice to help out at times of peak activity
  • Make sure that all workers are provided with the right equipment to do the work (including protective clothing) and are trained on how to use it safely
  • Keep records to show that safety briefings and training have been carried out
  • Regularly check that temporary employees are working in accordance with farm safety procedures
  • Ensure that temporary workers and helpers take regular breaks and have access to washing facilities.

The Farm Safety Foundation, founded and funded by NFU Mutual, has  published a helpful temporary workers guide Flipbook (yellowwellies.org).

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