UFU notifies members of HSENI inspections

The eight-month long programme of transport inspections commences this month and will continue to March 2024.

UFU deputy president William Irvine said: “The HSENI inspection scheme is focused on workplace-based transport in three specific risk areas including ‘safe site, safe vehicle and safe driver’. Incidents involving vehicles and equipment remain a high cause of injury and death on farms. Working on a farm creates risk every day not only for farmers but farm workers, contractors and other visitors on site.

“During inspections the HSENI will be reviewing if farm vehicles are adequately maintained and that users hold the correct licenses/training certificates for vehicles in use. Certain vehicles require specific training such as telescopic handlers and all-terrain vehicles. Any person operating such vehicles on the farm whether in a field, yard or road during a work activity, must be adequately trained to do so. This is a legal requirement under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (NI) 1999. Inspectors will provide information and advice during their inspections, which will include instructions to complete training courses if the driver does not hold the relevant certificate to operate a piece of machinery. We anticipate that there will be high demand for all-terrain and telehandler training and therefore it is important that members book in advance. UFU members can contact their technical officer by calling UFU HQ for advice on how to access training.’’