FARMERS are being told that the New Year is an ideal time to make sure that all their vehicles are in a safe condition.
Health and safety bosses say proper maintenance of vehicles and machinery can help prevent accidents, injuries and even death.
Peter Dodman, Health and Safety Executive inspector for North and East Yorkshire, said transport-related accidents account for around 35 per cent of all fatal accidents on farms.
He said farmers should review training for employees who use fork-lift trucks and other specialist farm equipment.
In October, government inspectors and North Yorkshire Police launched an initiative to highlight the importance of farm vehicle safety.
In Malton and Scarborough, vehicles from 35 different agricultural businesses were stopped and inspected. As a result, eight vehicles were taken off the road for urgent repairs and ten improvement notices were issued, forcing owners to take remedial action.
Updated: 11:02 Tuesday, December 31, 2002
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