WORCESTERSHIRE'S farming community is being warned not to take excessive risks when disinfecting their farm buildings in the wake of foot-and-mouth.
The advice comes from The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which is concerned about recent deaths of farmers falling through buildings.
"Last year, five people died on farms as a result of falling through roofs containing fragile materials, but that was before people were disinfecting buildings," said Linda Williams, HSE chief agricultural inspector.
She confirmed that since April, one person had already died and another had been seriously injured trying to cleanse their buildings.
Fibre-cemented roofs were particularly risky, she said. Even roofs that did not look fragile might contain roof lights that could pose a danger.
The agricultural inspector also highlighted that numerous falls took place through metal roof sheets which had rusted to the point where they could no longer carry the person's weight.
Although cleaning premises thoroughly was of paramount importance, Ms Williams said cleaners should identify a safe way of disinfecting buildings.
"I urge the industry to ensure that further tragic accidents during cleansing and disinfecting do not add to the stress of the foot-and-mouth outbreak," she added.
For more information contact HSE's InfoLine on 08701 545500.
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