RR1063 Research to explore the effect of traditional farming Safety and Health Awareness Days (SHADs) on farmer behaviour
The research explored farmers' perceptions of the extent to which attendance at a Farming Safety and Health Awareness Day (SHAD), established by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), had changed their awareness, attitudes and behaviour in relation to health and safety.
Using a mixture of quantitative (questionnaire) and qualitative (interview) approaches provided an opportunity to explore not only how farmers' knowledge, attitudes and behaviour had changed immediately after the SHAD, but also whether any observed changes were sustained three months after attending a SHAD. The key messages that have emerged from this research include:
- SHAD events were a positive experience providing them with useful health and safety information, using a helpful format of demonstrations and explanations.
- SHADs appear to have encouraged farmers to make small improvements that do not require a significant financial investment and can be put in place relatively quickly.
- Since attending the SHADs, farmers are more aware that they have responsibilities for the health and safety of contractors/sub-contractors on their farms. Immediately after attending a SHAD, farmers were generally motivated to take steps to improve the maintenance of their farm equipment and vehicles.
- Evocative examples of accidents involving other farmers' families appear to encourage attendees, particularly those with young children, to make safety improvements on their farms.
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