UK: Potato growers to be targeted by Health and Safety Executive inspections

East Anglia’s potato growers have been urged to step up their accident prevention measures this harvest season – and to expect visits from safety inspectors. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is reminding producers of the importance of managing risks to workers during the potato harvest as it launches its latest inspection initiative. Inspectors will be making unannounced visits to farms that grow, pick and process potatoes during the next few months to ensure risks during the harvesting season are being controlled and measures are in place to protect farmers and their workers. The announcement follows the release of HSE statistics showing there have been 30 deaths on British farms in the last 12 months, with recurring causes of serious injuries during the potato harvesting season including entanglement with dangerous parts of machines, being struck or run over by vehicles and falls from height. More