A ten-year study by Burnett (1992) noted an increase in the level of accidents during the introduction of milk quotas and during a sharp fall in sheep prices, again suggesting psychological problems.
Standford (1991) carried out research into industrial diseases in the farming industry, which included awareness of Health and Safety practices implemented on farms in Ireland. The reports findings show that large numbers of the accidents occurred could be avoided.
The “Fatal Injuries” report also concludes that many of the accidents and deaths were avoidable, had proper risk assessments been carried out.
The “Farmwise” publication also highlights the ‘culture’ required to maintain and achieve good health and safety standards within a business, reinforcing issues such as “communication, co-operation, competence and control”.
All these reports, investigations and development programs are based on the number of accidents and how they occurred; none of them attempts to answer the ‘actual’ reasons for the large number of accidents and deaths within the industry. The reports have indicate that many people within the industry have financial worries and stress, although is this a contributing factor to the accidents?
- Research Aim/Research Questions
Having decided on the research topic, it must then be broken down to generate a series of research questions, enabling the researcher to establish exactly what they are trying to answer.
In recent years the HSE along with many other government bodies have developed campaigns to reduce the number of fatal injuries in the agricultural industry. Despite these campaigns the number of injuries has only fallen slightly, and the number of child deaths has risen.
The research has been commissioned to examine and identify:
- The level of knowledge/awareness amongst farmers, their workers and families
- To establish any areas that are not presently covered by health and safety legislation
- Establish whether there are any advantages/disadvantages of the health and safety polices affecting the business
- Determine if the government is successfully transmitting the health and safety message to the industry.
By answering the above questions the report will highlight the level of knowledge that managers and owners have of the health and safety policies/legislation, and discover why the number of injuries has not fallen dramatically. It may be that the industry requires an improved source of information or that the managers/owners are simply ‘cutting corners’.
- Research Objectives
Johnson (1994) defines research as “A focused and systematic enquiry that goes beyond generally available knowledge to acquire specialised and detailed information, providing a basis for analysis and elucidatory comment on the topic of enquiry”.
There is a need to carry out an investigation into the knowledge that managers and owners of farms have in health and safety, this will establish whether they are simply avoiding or ‘cutting corners’ (for financial reasons) in the legislation or are simply unaware of the consequences.
The research objectives would aim to answer:
- To discover the current heath and safety legislations policies for agriculture
- Are the current policies that are being operated on farms inline with legislation
- What level of awareness is there of health and safety in the farming industry
- What areas (if any) are currently not covered by legislation
- What advantages/disadvantages are there of health and safety effecting the business
- Is the government successfully transmitting health and safety legislation and the consequences to the industry
- Methodology
White (2000) states, “The approach used to investigate a topic is the ‘methodology’ and is vitally important to ensure that “data and information which is collected and analysed is never wasted”.
“Many business, social and economic questions can be assessed and evaluated more closely if some data are available upon which to base a discussion and decision”.
Qualitative research is a “descriptive, non-numerical way to collect data and interpret information”, whilst Quantitative research provides results in numerical values and uses mathematic statistics to evaluate the results.
Within qualitative research there are many methods used to collect data, and the choice is dependable on the topic area, type of results required and financial issues.
A popular choice is an interview, which if carried out correctly can provide a good source of information. Advantages of interviews are that they can be used in a variety of situations and alongside other methods. The ‘face-to-face’ nature can also ensure that any misunderstandings are resolved immediately. Although disadvantages such as time consuming and travelling may lead to only a small number of interviews being carried out.
An observation method ensures that an accurate ‘account’ is obtained, which can consist of both verbal and non-verbal information. Although this method is also time consuming.
The diary method can be used to ask participants to keep an account of the research; this allows the researcher more time for other areas, although details recorded can be insufficient if the exact requirements are not fully explained to the participant.
A case study is an extensive single study of the area, allowing collection of detailed information; they can be carried out cheaply by the researcher and can also take place in familiar surroundings. Although the researcher can become personally involved which may lead to a bias opinion.
“Quantitative research sets up a hypothesis or theory”, and “ is often termed hypothetico-deductive”. The method used consists of surveys, questionnaires or both.
Primary Research
There are many methods of collecting ‘primary’ data, questionnaires, case studies, Interviews, observation, diary and action, although all these have advantages and disadvantages. The method used will depend on the type of research being undertaken, time and financial constraints, and also the location of both the interviewee and interviewer. From these pros and cons its has been decided to use the following:
Questionnaires: (see appendix 9 for questionnaire and appendix 10 for covering letter)
A questionnaire is a list of questions designed to obtain certain information and view from the population. Questionnaires must be correctly written to avoid misunderstanding and bias.
A questionnaire will also be used to establish the knowledge of farmers and managers of health and safety legislations, and also to establish if they are complying with these legislations. The questionnaire will be distributed to 200 farmers and farm managers; it will also include an addressed envelope to return the questionnaire.
Advantages of Questionnaires
- Allow a large population to be surveyed
- People are more likely to answer questions if they are not face-to- face with interviewer.
Case study:
A case study has been chosen to investigate the accidents that have occurred in the industry. This will provide information on details of how and when the accident happened (taking into consideration weather conditions, place, time etc) enabling the researcher to establish whether the accident could have been avoided and if Health and Safety Legislation was followed.
Advantages of a case study: (White, 2000)
- Carried out by an individual person
- Provides detailed and exact ‘happenings’ of the accident
The questionnaire also inquires if anybody on the farm has suffered from an injury, this will allow the researcher to obtain an interview from the person (where possible) to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the injury. This will provide detailed information as to whether the accident could have been avoided.
Secondary Research
Secondary research consists of other related material such as surveys, questionnaires, case studies, theories and books that have been written by another person or group. All the ‘literature’ that was mentioned in the ‘background’ will have an influence on the research, other areas will also be explored including journals.
Literature Study
The methodology is extremely important in the research, and it has been decided to use the following books and reports:
-
Barrett B and Howells R (1993)
-
Graham H T. Bennett R. (1998)
-
Foot M. Hook Caroline. (1999)
-
White Brian. (2000)
-
Curwin Jon, Slater Roger. (1986).
-
“Farmwise, your essential guide to health and safety in agriculture”. (2002).
-
Fatal Injuries in Farming, Forestry and Horticulture (2002-2003).
Web Sites
- Sampling
Carrying out a full survey would cost too much in time, money and staff resources; to combat these issues a sample of the population is surveyed.
The size of the sample will depend on the availability of resources and money; a larger sample size will result in the data having a truer value than a survey of a smaller sample.
There are numerous methods of population selection, Random (Accessing electoral register), Systematic (a name), Route (address at random), Stratified (divide people or items into groups or categories) Quota (age, gender or financial income) Cluster (divides an area into smaller areas; these areas are then selected at random), Multi stage (a series of samples taken at successive stages), Master stage (cover the whole country). Panels (Groups of people chosen randomly and are interviewed over a length of time).
I would suggest that the ‘random’ method be used in the population selection. This method would avoid some of the extra costs associated with other methods. The selection would aim to question around 250 farmers and farm managers in the South Wales area; these details could be obtained from the telephone directory.
- Timetable
The time management is essential when compiling such work, it is important that a plan is made to ensure the deadlines are met.
July 2004 begin literature searching
Aug/early Sep expand on literature research, start writing proposal.
Middle Sep finalise proposal, and submit to lecturer
End Sep Compile questionnaires, continue with literature research.
Early Oct post questionnaires to businesses, literature research. Start evaluating information that has already been collected.
Nov preliminary data evaluated, visit business to carry out ‘case studies’.
Jan 2005 Literature search and data collection completed.
Feb- April evaluate data and start first draft of dissertation
May Final draft submitted.
- References
Barrett B, Howells R. 1993. “Health and Safety Law”. Longman Group. London.
Burnett T M. (1992). “Injuries on Farms Observations in the Lune Valley 1981 –1991”
Burnett T, Mort M. 2001 “The Farmers Health Project” Report for the NHS Executive
Curwin Jon, Slater Roger. 1986. “Quantitative Methods for Business Decisions”. Thetford Press Limited. England.
Evans A. 1999. “Farm Accidents in Rural Areas” Published by Institute of Rural Health.
“Farmwise, your essential guide to health and safety in agriculture”, HSE publication
“Fatal Injuries in Farming, Forestry and Horticulture 2002-2003”. HSE publication
Foot M. Hook Caroline. (1999) “Introducing Human Resource Management”. Longman Group. London.
HSE Publication “Fatal Injuries in Farming, forestry and horticulture 2002-2003”
Gill John. Johnson Phil. 2002. “Research Methods for Managers”. 3rd Ed. Sage Publishing. London
Graham H T. Bennett R. 1998. “Human Resource Management”. Pitman Publishing. London
Stannford C F. 1991 “ Health for the Farmer”. Farming Press. United Kingdom
Stanks J. 1994. “Management Systems for Safety” (ROSPA). Pitman Publishing. London
Walsh M. 2000 “Farm accidents: their causes and the development of nurse led accident prevention Strategy” Emergency Nurse, 8 (7).
Which. 1983. “Starting your own Business”. Consumer Association (Publishers of WHICH?) Norwich.
White Brian. 2000. “Dissertation skills for Business and Management Students”. Cassell. London
(Accessed 09/02/04)
(Accessed 29/01/04)
(Accessed 09/02/04)
(Accessed 04/02/04)
(Accessed 05/02/04)
Appendix 1
White (2000) Consideration should be given to the following areas when considering a research topic:
- Am genuinely interested in the topic?
- Do I already know a lot about the topic?
- Is it a well-trodden area?
- Can I cope with the topic in terms of depth and breath?
- Are the resources, e.g. time, facilities, money, and equipment, etc. available?
- Availability of information?
- Is the topic appropriate to my degree?
- Is the topic relevant to my needs?
- Does the topic agree with course regulations?
Appendix 2 - Domino Theory
W H Heinrich (1931), developed the ‘domino’ theory whereby 88% of accidents where caused by unsafe acts of people, 10% by unsafe actions and 2% by ‘acts of God’, proposing a ‘five factor accident sequence’ if one of the dominos where removed prevention would occur.
“Sequences of factors
- Ancestry and social environment
- Worker fault
- Unsafe act together with mechanical and physical hazard
- Accident
- Damage or injury
In the same way that the removal of a single domino in the row would interrupt the sequence of toppling, Heinrich suggested that removal of one factor would prevent the accident and resultant injury; with the key domino to be removed from the sequence being number 3”. (Obtained from - – accessed 29/02/04)
Appendix 3 - Multiple causation theory
“Multiple causation theory is an outgrowth of the domino theory, but it postulates that for a single accident there may be many contributory factors, causes and sub-causes, and that certain combinations of these give rise to accidents. According to this theory, the contributory factors can be grouped into the following categories:
Behavioural – this category includes factors pertaining to the worker, such as improper attitude, lack of knowledge, lack of skills and inadequate physical and mental condition.
Environment – this category includes improper guarding of other hazardous work elements and degradation of equipment through use and unsafe procedure.
The major contribution of this theory is to bring out the fact that rarely, if ever, is an accident the result of a single cause or act”. (Obtained from - – accessed 29/02/04)
Appendix 4 - Pure Chance Theory
“According to the pure chance theory, every one of any given set of workers has an equal chance of being involved in an accident. It further implies that there is no single discernible pattern of events that leads to an accident. In this theory, all accidents are treated as corresponding to Henirich’s acts of God, and it is held that there exists no interventions to prevent them”. (Obtained from - – accessed 29/02/04)
Appendix 5 – Biased liability theory
“Biased liability theory is based on the view that once a worker is involved in an accident, the chances of the same worker becoming involved in future accidents are either increased or decreased as compared to the rest of the workers. The theory contributes very little, if anything at all, towards developing preventive actions for involving accidents”. (Obtained from - – accessed 29/02/04)
Appendix 6 –Accident Proneness Theory
“Accident proneness theory maintains that within a given set of workers, there exists a subset of workers who are more liable to be involved in accidents. Researchers have not been able to prove this theory conclusively because most of the research work has been poorly conducted and most of the findings are contradictory and inclusive”. (Obtained from - – accessed 29/02/04)
Appendix 7 – Energy Transfer Theory
“Those who accept the energy transfer theory put forward the claim that a worker incurs injury or equipment suffers damage through a change of energy, and that for every change of energy there is a source, a path and a receiver. This theory is useful for determining injury causation and evaluating energy hazards and control methodology. Strategies can be developed which are either preventive, limiting or ameliorating with respect to the energy transfer”. (Obtained from - – accessed 29/02/04)
Appendix 8 – Symptom versus causes theory
“The “symptoms versus causes” theory is not so much a theory as an admonition to be heeded if accident causation is to be understood. Usually, when investigating accidents, we tend to fasten upon the obvious causes of the accident to the neglect of the root causes. Unsafe acts and unsafe conditions are the symptoms – the proximate causes – and not the root cause of the accident”. (Obtained from - – accessed 29/02/04)
Appendix 9
Questionnaire
- On a scale of 1-10 (where 1 is poor and 10 is excellent). What level of awareness do you have of the current H & S legislation for agriculture?
1 5 10
- Have any members of your workforce or family suffered any injuries/accidents on the farm within the last 5 years?
Yes No (if yes, answer question 3)
- Do you think the injuries/accidents could have been avoided?
Yes No (if yes how)
- Do you carry out risk assessments?
Yes No
- Do you have a current H&S policy
Yes No
- Do you think that a good H&S practice:
Offers financial benefit
Offers no financial benefit
No opinion
- Being the owner/manager do you think that it is your responsibility for the H&S of workers/family/members of the public?
Yes No
- Do you consult your staff about H&S?
Yes No
- Do staff report problems?
Yes Sometimes No
- Do you have adequate provision to deal with emergencies and accidents?
Yes Sometimes No
- Do you have a system to check on lone workers?
Yes Sometimes No
- Do you have rules or areas where children can go and what they can do around the farm?
Yes Sometimes No
- Do you have warning signs to alert people who may have access to hazardous working areas?
In all locations
In some locations
Not in any locations
Machinery and Workplace areas
- Are PTO shafts guarded and in good order?
All Some None
- How often do you inspect buildings for structural problems?
Weekly
Monthly
Every six months
Yearly
Never
- Has an electrician carried out an inspection of wires and equipment in the last 10 years?
Yes No
- When working under raised equipment, do you ensure that there are two means of keeping it up?
Yes Sometimes No
- On a scale of 1-10 (where 1 is never and 10 is at all times). Do you provided safety clothes/equipment when using chainsaws?
1 5 10
- Do you enforce a ‘no passenger’ policy for children over 13 years of age where there is no extra seat?
At all times
Sometimes
Never
- Have any operators of machinery been trained by a competent person?
All
Some
None
- How often do you regularly maintain/service machinery?
Weekly
Monthly
Every six months
Yearly
Never
- Have any of your tractors got a roll bar or safety cab fitted?
All
Some
None
- If tractors are used on main roads are they fitted with a beacon?
Yes No
- Do the tractors have indicators/lights suitable for using on roads?
Yes No
- Do you know the maximum height of your machinery?
Yes No
- Have you a map of all overhead power lines available for machinery users?
Yes No
- Are ladders, tyres or any items that may fall, secure or laid flat?
Yes No Don’t Know/unsure
- Are your ladders in good condition?
Yes No
- Do you stack bales safely?
Yes No
- Are slurry lagoons/feed stores fenced and gated to prevent access?
Yes No
Livestock
- Do you store veterinary medicines correctly?
Yes No
- On a scale of 1-10 (where 1 is not at all informed and 10 is very well informed). Do members of your workforce/family understand the risks of contracting zoonoses?
1 5 10
- Can your staff safely direct animals into race entrances?
Yes No
-
Is your crush suitable for the following:
Applying restraint to the rear of the animal without having to reach over
Blood testing
Foot trimming
Belly clipping
Artificial insemination
- How do you rate your facilities for loading animals onto lorries/boxes?
Poor Average Excellent
- Do you have proper facilities for handling breeding bulls?
Yes No
- Do you have sufficient escape gaps for people to get away from aggressive animals?
Yes No
- Does the design of your sheep dip and dipping equipment minimise the exposure to dipwash?
Yes No
- Is the dipping bath securely covered when not in use?
At all times
When I Remember
Never
- Do you use protective clothing when dipping?
Yes No
- Are worker adequately protected from dust levels? (Poultry/or meal)
At all times
Sometimes
Never
- Is exposure to harmful noise levels adequately controlled? (Pigs, tractors, machinery)
At all times
Sometimes
Never
Training
- Has any member of your workforce/family attended any H&S courses?
Yes No (if yes answer question 40 - 41)
(If no go to question 43)
- When did this training take place?
Less than 3 years
3-5 years
5+ years
- Was this course especially for the ‘farming’ environment?
Yes No (please answer question 42)
- If a specialised H&S training course were available would you attend?
Yes No
- Would you attend the course you had to financial contribute towards it?
Yes No (if no go to question 45)
- How much would you be willing to pay towards the course?
£0 - £50
£51 - £100
£100 -£200
£200+
- For what reason would you not contribute towards a course?
It should be free to farmers
Cannot financially afford it
Do not believe that my workforce/family would benefit
Would take too much time
Other:
Please remember to return in the envelope provided.
Thank you for taking the time to complete the questionnaire
Appendix 10 (Covering letter)
41 Brynawelon
Coelbren
Neath
West Glamorgan
SA10 9PP
16 February 2004
Mr D Jones
Glynllech Farm
Penycae
Abercrave
SA9 1FH
Dear Mr Jones,
I am currently studying a BA Honours at the University of Wales Lampeter, as part of my final year I am required to submit a dissertation.
Coming from a farming background, I have decided to undertake the research on health and safety policies within the farming industry. As you are probably aware the number of accidents and fatalities in the industry is rising and a large number of these may have been avoidable.
The purpose of the investigation is to determine the awareness that farmers such as you have about the current health and safety legislation, and to allow me to establish the level of health and safety polices used at your farm.
The information that you supply me with will be completely anonymous.
There is no need to provide me with personal details if you’d rather not, although if a member of your family, workforce or yourself has been unlucky and suffered from an accident recently and you are willing to provide me with details of the incident, I would be most grateful. The information that you provide will only be used by me, and will not be disclosed to any other bodies.
If you could please take a few minutes to answer the enclosed questionnaire, and return it to me in the stamped addressed envelope.
If you have any queries with regards to this letter then please do not hesitate to contact me. Telephone:01639700366 or Email: [email protected]
Yours Hopefully
Amanda James
Gill John. Johnson Phil. 2002. “Research Methods for Managers”. 3rd Ed. Sage Publishing. London
Gill John. Johnson Phil. 2002. “Research Methods for Managers”. 3rd Ed. Sage Publishing. London
Graham HT, Bennett Roger. 1998. “Human Resource Management”. Pitman Publishing. Washington.
Foot Margaret, Hook Caroline. 1999. “ Introducing Human Resource Management” 2nd ED. Longman Limited. England
Graham HT, Bennett Roger. 1998. “Human Resource Management”. Pitman Publishing. Washington.
HSE Publication “Fatal Injuries in Farming, forestry and horticulture 2002-2003”
Foot Margaret, Hook Caroline. 1999. “ Introducing Human Resource Management” 2nd ED. Longman Limited. England
Foot Margaret, Hook Caroline. 1999. “ Introducing Human Resource Management” 2nd ED. Longman Limited. England
Stannford C F. 1991 “ Health for the Farmer”. Farming Press. United Kingdom
Fatal Injuries in Farming, Forestry and Horticulture 2002-2003. Published by HSE.
“Farmwise, your essential guide to health and safety in agriculture”, HSE publication
White Brian. 2000. “Dissertation skills for Business and Management Students”. Cassell. London
Curwin Jon, Slater Roger. 1986. “Quantitative Methods for Business Decisions”. Thetford Press Limited. England.
White Brian. 2000. “Dissertation skills for Business and Management Students”. Cassell. London
White Brian. 2000. “Dissertation skills for Business and Management Students”. Cassell. London
White Brian. 2000. “Dissertation skills for Business and Management Students”. Cassell. London
Barrett B, Howells R. 1993. “Health and Safety Law”. Longman Group. London.
Which. 1983. “Starting your own Business”. Consumer Association (Publishers of WHICH?) Norwich.
Stanks J. 1994. “Management Systems for Safety” (ROSPA). Pitman Publishing. London.
Graham H T. Bennett R. 1998. “Human Resource Management”. Pitman Publishing. London
Foot M. Hook Caroline. (1999) “Introducing Human Resource Management”. Longman Group. London.
White Brian. 2000. “Dissertation skills for Business and Management Students”. Cassell. London
Curwin Jon, Slater Roger. 1986. “Quantitative Methods for Business Decisions”. Thetford Press Limited. England.
Stannford C F. 1991 “ Health for the Farmer”. Farming Press. United Kingdom
“Farmwise, your essential guide to health and safety in agriculture”, HSE publication
“Fatal Injuries in Farming, Forestry and Horticulture 2002-2003”. HSE publication
Burnett T M. (1992). “Injuries on Farms Observations in the Lune Valley 1981 –1991”
Evans A. 1999. “Farm Accidents in Rural Areas” Published by Institute of Rural Health.
Walsh M. 2000 “Farm accidents: their causes and the development of nurse led accident prevention Strategy” Emergency Nurse, 8 (7).
Burnett T, Mort M. 2001 “The Farmers Health Project” Report for the NHS Executive
