Learn life-saving skills at first aid course for farmers
A FIRST AID course for farmers offering practical skills to deal with life-threatening on-farm accidents is being held next month.
The course, which takes place at Carlisle’s Borderway Mart, has been designed specifically for people working in the agricultural sector, which has the worst rate of work-related injury of any industry.
Organised by H&H Safety, which is part of H&H Insurance Brokers, the three-hour course takes place on Tuesday, June 21, covering potential scenarios such as quad bike accidents, and incidents involving animals and machinery.
Paul Graham, Managing Director of H&H Insurance Brokers, which operates across the North of England, the Scottish Borders and Wales and specialises in farm and rural insurance, said: “Farmers and those working in the agricultural sector are particularly exposed to the risk of serious injury or worse, simply because of the nature of their work. “They work outside all-year-round, with tractors, machinery, livestock and chemicals, often working long hours and on their own.
“The First Aid for Farmers course offers practical advice and guidance on what to do if the worst does happen and an accident occurs on the farm. Sometimes, injuries can’t be fixed with basic first aid but knowing the right action to take while help is on the way could make all the difference.”
The most recent figures from the Health and Safety Executive revealed an estimated 12,000 workers in agriculture, forestry and fishing sustained an injury at work, a figure significantly higher than other industries.
The number of people who lost their lives in agricultural incidents from April 2020 to the end of March 2021 almost doubled to 41, compared to 21 the previous year. The 2020/2021 figure includes 34 workers and seven members of the public.
The First Aid for Farmers course is being delivered by Farm and Forestry First Aid (F3A), which provides specialist first aid courses for the farming and forestry sector.
The half-day course covers essential first-aid skills such as assessing a casualty, the correct recovery position, how to administer CPR, using an Automated External Defibrillator, as well as learning about the treatment of crush injuries, amputation, impalement and severe bleeding and is led by qualified health care professionals registered with the Health & Care Professions Council, with a choice of morning or afternoon sessions available. Participants will be presented with a certificate following completion of the course.
The course costs £100 plus VAT. To book a place email [email protected] or call Alison Agnew on 01228 406332.
H&H Safety, which is in partnership with health and safety specialists AW Safety, aims to help farmers create a safer working environment. It works with farmers to develop a risk management system and provides access to online documentation and telephone support. It can also offer an annual audit and inspection of the business, risk assessments and training programmes.