26 March 2010
Staying Safe On and Off the Road
Over 50 contractors from all over the UK attended what the NAAC describes as an important day for all land-based
contractors. Contractors were welcomed with a bacon butty and a hot cup of coffee before starting the four morning
sessions 'telehandler/materials handling', 'Working Near Power Lines', 'Rail Crossings' and' Manual Handling'.
Whilst health and safety is rarely a welcomed subject, contractors were pleasantly surprised to find the day interesting
and not without humour, whilst keeping everyone focussed on the serious lessons to be learnt.
Demonstrations included the use of telehandlers, examples of electrical cables that had been struck by agricultural vehicles
and accidents and injuries caused by lifting everyday items.
Lunchtime gave the contractors the opportunity to discuss the mornings events amongst themselves, whilst Bluefin Insurance were
on-hand to talk to contractors about their insurance policies and premiums and Jeremy Lowe, the NAAC‘s Health and Safety
consultant answered questions on their health and safety policies.
Outside the offices, John Deere displayed their 7530 tractor with a Bailey trailer along with a new CAT telehandler kindly
supplied by Chandlers Agricultural Dealers for the morning sessions. HSE‘s trailer braking display panels were a talking
point along with VOSA‘s easily recognisable roadside check van. Many contractors used this opportunity to raise the
issues they face on a daily basis with moving large agricultural machinery on public highways.
After lunch the four groups merged into two for the afternoon sessions,
BAGMA‘s trailer braking demonstration and HSE and VOSA‘s presentation.
The NAAC would like to thank Bluefin Insurance for sponsoring the refreshments, Alan Plom and all the instructors for their
valued support and John Deere and Chandlers for providing the machinery.