The British Veterinary Association (BVA) wants farmers to assess whether or not their farm is a safe place to work.
The question is designed to “support” both vets and farmers to achieve better safety when working together on farms, says the BVA, backing the launch of a client advice leaflet called ‘Is your farm a safe place to work?‘
“Health and safety assessments can save lives by informing action plans that help minimise the risks,” said BVA president, John Blackwell. “Farmers and vets up and down the country have seen colleagues injured on farms and consequently unable to work. Many injuries are avoidable if veterinary practices, their employees and farmers all take action to minimise the risks.
“I want veterinary practices to understand their responsibilities and make use of our resources to help protect their employees on farm visits. I want vets going out on farms to keep updating existing risk assessments to keep their colleagues and themselves safe. I hope the client leaflet helps vets and farmers to start the conversation and take action to reduce the risks.”
The leaflet also spells out the legal responsibility farmers have to “keep vets and anyone working on their farm safe”.