Health and safety using farm vehicles and machinery

Overview

If you own or manage a farm, you’re responsible for ensuring the health and safety of your workers and anyone who’s affected by what they do.

You must:

carry out a assessment of any risks related to your farm
have a plan to manage these risks and protect people from harm
plan and set standards to be sure that your health and safety practices work
check how you’re doing through regular inspections and monitoring

You must make sure that all farming vehicles and equipment are:

safe to use
appropriate for the jobs they are used for
their safety risks are reduced as much as possible

Health and safety assessments

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has produced guidance to help farmers conduct health and safety assessments of their farms.

The ‘Farmwise’ guide also provides information and guidance on health and safety for farm vehicles and machinery.

Download ‘Farmwise: Your essential guide to health and safety in agriculture’ (PDF 1.17MB)

Buying vehicles and equipment

CE Mark

Most new machines, vehicles or pieces of farming equipment you buy must be ‘CE’ marked. This mark means that it has been built to meet minimum legal safety requirements.

Most new machines or pieces of equipment should also have:

a ‘declaration of conformity’ to show that it meets EU standards
a manual
information on noise levels

Second-hand equipment and vehicles

Before using second hand machinery, you should:

make sure that it complies with the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
get the operator’s manual or suitable instructions for use
replace or repair any missing or damaged safety guards before use

Download ‘Simple guide to the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998’ (PDF, 260KB)

Maintaining vehicles and equipment

You must make sure that all your equipment is properly maintained and in good working order. You’ll need to perform regular maintenance checks on all of your vehicles and machinery.

You can find useful equipment maintenance checklists on the British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association website.

The Department for Transport also provides guidance on performing health checks on farm vehicles.

Download ‘Farm vehicle health check scheme’ (PDF, 795KB)

You can find information on the safe use of agricultural machinery on the Health and Safety Executive website.

Noise levels

High levels of noise can damage hearing. By law, you must assess the level of noise in areas where people work for you. You must take action where noise exceeds certain levels.

If you have noisy machinery or equipment, you should consider:

providing hearing protection for operators
using barriers or screens to block sound
using materials to absorb sound
limiting the time spent in noisy environments

Read information from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on noise levels at work.

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Client testimonials

Without the Growth Hubs help and assistance, we would never have been able to increase our sales & output and also grow our local business. With this help in purchasing new equipment we have expanded our operations and gained a new and increased customer base.

Nuneaton Roof Truss,

Over the past few years, Armstrongs has built up a fantastic relationship with Gary Thyeson from the Growth Hub. His advice on grants and funding has been really valuable to both Armstrongs and some of our clients. His knowledge of local business support has been helpful in signposting us to relevant support agencies as required. We look forward to working with Laura Delahunty moving forwards.

Armstrongs Accountancy LTD,

In the short time since first engaging with the Warwickshire Growth Hub we feel that Laura has understood our vision and has been so very supportive in linking us to the specialist teams who are now supporting us with training, finance and recruitment. A great service that every growing organisation should connect with

MES Systems Limited,

I have had an excellent experience working with Laura from the Growth Hub, from day one, she was taking detailed attention to my concerns and ideas. She was able to put me in contact with different organisations and people to find out answers to my questions and help me to solve some inquiries I was having. I feel this support definitely had a positive impact in my plans.

PALACIOS LTD,

It’s been a fantastic inaugural eight months for the TalentTech Recruitment team and, although the reality of setting up and running a company can be a somewhat daunting experience, we have been extremely grateful for the superb help, advice and guidance given to us along our journey by Gavin Barnett and the team at CW Growth Hub. Gavin’s introductions to both Warwick & Coventry Universities and his wider business network have been absolutely invaluable.

TalentTech Recruitment LTD,

For many individuals out there, it is very hard to figure out ways and know which direction to go when it comes to setting up a business. The challenges of taking your idea and bringing it to life and not knowing where to go and who to speak to for advice. it can get very frustrating..

King of Saffron LTD,

This grant [which we received with the help of the Growth Hub and Coventry City Council] will really help us get on track for business growth and succeed with our vision. Personally, I would also like to thank the team for supporting me through the grant application process. You have been very approachable and attentive throughout.

Exeter Analytical (UK) Limited,

Thank you for the comprehensive and professional guidance

Burbidge & Son Ltd,

Over the years since the Growth Hub was set up we have habitually gone to our Account Manager as a one-stop shop for all business-related information. It has been a really convenient way of finding suppliers, advisors and, on one occasion, we even asked for assistance with finding customers. We are invited to a wide range of business events including business development workshops, Brexit roundtable discussions, seminars on various topics and have also been asked to speak at some events. When we have needed additional information, for example, finding finance sources or help with selecti

Marchantcain Design Limited,

Thanks to CW Growth hub getting us access to grant funding we have been able to invest in the latest computer monitoring system, which will enable us to compete with the national companies within our industry.

Comrie Leisure Limited,