Tractor Legislation – What You Need to Know as Harvest Season Approaches

Dear Reader

Harvest season will soon be upon us. Always the most labour-intensive activity of the growing season, employing seasonal farmworkers plays a large role in ensuring you get your products to market efficiently.

But as an agricultural employer there are certain obligations you must meet, not least of which is the responsibility to ensure all your machinery operators are adequately trained and competent.

We hope you find the information in this month's newsletter useful, if you know of anyone else that may benefit from receiving this newsletter simply click on the button above to forward it to them.

Happy reading,

James

Tractor Safety

An average of 10 people die in tractor accidents every year and many more are injured. These incidents are too frequently associated with a lack of suitable and sufficient operator training. It is wrong to assume that because an employee holds a licence to drive that they have the skills required to operate a tractor.

We live and work in a compensation culture society, where it is acceptable for anyone who has suffered an injury to seek damages from the person(s) they feel are to blame. Training is an essential element in reducing the potential for injury, and forms a key aspect of ensuring you meet the requirements of the Provision & Use of Work Equipment and Health & Safety at Work Regulations.

But what is suitable and sufficient training? The British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association's (BAGMA) Code of Practice advises that training should include the following elements:

• Installation / Familiarisation
• Detailed Operator Training
• Assessment

There are many courses available, but when arranging training for your employees and seasonal workers your primary consideration should be that it is conducted by highly skilled and qualified instructors.

Here at the Rural Skills Centre we are keen to foster best practice across the agricultural industry. We offer both an Introduction to Tractor Driving course and the nationally recognised LANTRA Operation and Machine Handling Certificate. Both courses are two days in length and can be held either at our dedicated training centre or at your premises. Additionally, we can provide advanced modules such as driving on steep slopes and flail hedge cutting. 

Young Workers

Within farming families it is often the case that young people assist in the day-to-day activities that are a routine part of life on a farm. However, the legislation governing the use of tractors by children under the age of 17 is cloudy and confusing.

To help you prepare your child we offer an introductory course for young people between 13 and 16 years of age. The course is based on the most recent HSE tractor action safety guidance and has been designed to help them become confident tractor operators. Subjects covered include: attaching trailers, safety and daily maintenance.

Upcoming Course Information

CS30/CS31 NPTC Chainsaw
Maintenance, Operation, Cross Cutting & Felling of Small Trees
6^th-10^th June

BASIS Certificate in Conservation Management
8^th-10^th June

LANTRA Tractors
Maintenance & Operation
9^th & 10^th June

Blacksmithing & Ornamental Ironwork
Module 1
11^th June

2 day LANTRA Chainsaw
Maintenance Operation & Cross Cutting
13^th & 14^th June

Brush Cutters & Strimmers
14^th June

PA1 Safe use of Pesticides
15^th June

ATV Operation
(including implements & loads)
16^th June

Dry Stone Walling
Walling Features (Module 2)
18^th June

CS38/CS39 NPTC Chainsaw
Tree Climbing, Aerial Rescue, Use of a Chainsaw in Harness
20^th-27^th June

PA4 Granule Application
21^st June

Introduction to Tractors
21^st & 22^nd June

Rough Terrain Telescopic
21^st-23^rd June

PA2 Ground Crop Sprayer
Pesticide Application
22^nd June

Rough Terrain Telescopic
23^rd & 24^th June

Blacksmithing & Ornamental Ironwork
Module 2
25^th June

Introduction to Tractors
29^th & 30^th June