Children’s deaths in agriculture

Despite agriculture ranking as the third most dangerous industry as far as deaths are concerned, the HSE appears intent on putting children’s lives at risk, the Unite general union representing agricultural workers has warned.

The union’s warning follows the decision by the HSE to withdraw the Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) on children in agriculture. Unite has argued that the welcome decline in child deaths in agriculture since the introduction of the ACoP in 1988 is due in part to the code’s existence and the added legal weight it gives to safety campaigns.

Tractor driver Steve Leniec, chair of the union’s national committee for rural and agricultural workers, said: “We believe the ACoP should not only have been retained but updated and broadcast effectively to an industry that is in the grip of deregulation fever, worsening conditions for workers and their families.

“The scrapping of the ACoP and the legal underpinning it brings to the critical messages about children’s safety on farms is a signal to the industry from a cynical government.”

www.unitetheunion.org/news/childrenslivesputatriskonfarmsasgovernmentwatersdownsafetylawswarnsunite/