There are growing concerns recently for the safety of farm workers the industry accounting for only 2% of the working population but it reports the highest proportion of work related injuries.

The data for 2010-11 showed that the agricultural sector accounted for 34 fatal injuries out of the 171 reported for all the sectors. This means that the agricultural sector accounts for 1 in 5 workplace deaths. The rate of fatal incidents is 9.9 per 100,000 employees in the agricultural sector which is higher than any other industry.

A teacher who permanently damaged her voice as she struggled to make herself heard in a noisy classroom has received £145,000 from her employee for her injuries and the impact they will have on her future career.

Joyce Walters taught English at Harlington adult education centre in Hillingdon. She was given a classroom next to a noisy children’s playground. Mrs. Walters constantly had to raise her voice and repeat herself in order to teach over the nearby noise.

 A routine inspection by a Health and Safety executive found an employee working unsafely on scaffolding

The inspection discovered that employees of Shane Homes Limited were using scaffolding with no edge protection. The edge protection was necessary to protect employees from a 4 metre fall from the first floor. It was also found that the access ladder was the wrong size and not securely fastened.

An employee who suffered a broken leg at work whilst operating overhead lifting gear has agreed a £17,500 settlement.

The employee had not received sufficient training by his employer on how to properly use an overhead crane nor had a risk assessment been carried out.

The employee was operating the crane in a small space manoeuvring a metal plate which weighed approximately one and a half tonnes. As the man struggled to keep the plate under control it swung towards him and collided into his leg.