A social media safety campaign is to be launched by the National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC) to promote the importance of wearing a helmet. Farmers and contractors are invited to share photos of themselves wearing helmets with the hashtag #wearitandshareit
Over the last five years, ATVs were involved in 14 deaths in agriculture, making it the most significant cause of deaths involving moving vehicles in the industry. The aim of the safety campaign is to raise awareness of the dangers and risks users face by not wearing a helmet.
Jill Hewitt, NAAC chief executive, said: “ATV users should take pride in wearing a helmet to protect their safety and help minimise the risk of the worst possible news being delivered to their family if an incident occurs. None of us are infallible and the NAAC wants the industry to get behind us by sharing photos of themselves wearing a helmet under #wearitandshareit.
“It is a legal requirement to wear a helmet at work and if you leave it behind, you are more likely to suffer a serious head injury, or worse, if you come off. The NAAC is working with Logic helmets to provide a discount to members, removing any final excuses why a helmet would not be worn.”
HSE has confirmed that by not wearing helmets, users are not only risking their safety, but are also putting themselves at risk of prosecution as enforcement action will be taken if an inspector sees someone working without a helmet on a farm.
Farmers, self-employed workers, employees and any other person using the ATV must wear the helmet, and owners need to ensure that this machine is only used by those old enough – most farm quads are only suitable for those aged 16 or over.
NAAC are asking all those within the industry to support the #wearitandshareit campaign on social media and raise awareness of the dangers involved in not wearing a helmet.
