A SAFER WORKPLACE FOR GROUNDS MAINTENANCE

With a horrifying average of three deaths a year in the grounds maintenance industry, Lantra Sector Skills Council and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have today (28 July) united with industry representatives to tackle the issue.

The workshop, held at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry, focused on health and safety issues such as mowing on slopes, exposure to noise and vibration and safe use of pesticides. Specialist consultants, advisors, training providers and trade organisations in attendance used their industry experience to discuss the health and safety issues facing the industry. Lantra’s Industry Partnership Manager, David Winn, said: “With an estimated workforce of 172,000 the fatal incident rate is on par with the construction industry. Clearly we need to address the dangers people working in the industry face in their day to day jobs.” Research carried out by the HSE reports that there were almost 10,000 injuries between 2001 and 2008. Alan Plom, Head of Safety for the Agriculture and Food Sector at the HSE, said: “Grounds-keeping is not ‘just mowing the lawn.’ Health and safety is a serious issue that’s been overlooked by industry for far too long. Lantra should be commended for organising this event to emphasise the importance of health and safety in the workplace.” David added: “This workshop was a great opportunity to highlight the life-threatening and life-changing dangers of cost-cutting on health, safety. This will help us to work together to develop key recommendations and reduce the risk of accidents in the workplace.” For more information about health and safety in the workplace visit www.hse.gov.uk or call 0845 345 0055. ENDS ISSUED BY: Lantra Press Office – Vicky Brewin Tel: 02476 858 417 / Email england.media@lantra.co.uk PICTURE CAPTION: (High res image available on request) Working together for a safer workplace. EDITOR’S NOTES: About Lantra Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for the environmental and land-based sector, is licensed by the UK Government to drive forward the new skills, training and business development agenda for the sector. Lantra represents 17 industries and 1.5 million workers and volunteers in agricultural crops, agricultural livestock, animal care, animal technology, aquaculture, environmental conservation, equine, farriery, fencing, fisheries management, floristry, game and wildlife management, land-based engineering, landscape, production horticulture, trees and timber and veterinary nursing. For more information see www.lantra.co.uk About the Health and Safety Executive The Health and Safety Executive is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to prevent death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice, promoting training, new or revised regulations and codes of practice, and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. www.hse.gov.uk

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