According to the latest report from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the number of people killed whilst working in the agricultural industry has risen significantly in the last year alone.
The HSE report reveals that between April 2009 and March 2010, there were 38 agricultural workers killed in the workplace. This is a sharp increase from the figures for 2008/09, where 25 people died at work in the agriculture industry. This also makes agriculture one of the most dangerous industries to work in.
These alarming figures should emphasise to employers of agriculture businesses the importance of taking proper precautionary measures to prevent employee accidents and injuries in the workplace.
Of secondary importance is having professional insurance in place to cover employees and members of the public. This is because when an employee sustains an injury or is killed in an accident, you as the employer may be found to be liable. You may have to pay compensation to the employee or the employee’s grieving family, to cover medical or funeral expenses, loss of income or pain and emotional distress.
You are legally required to provide this kind of insurance cover for your employees, but it financially protects you as the business owner as well.