Agricultural construction workers should opt for protective boots

People working on agricultural construction sites should ensure they follow safety practices such as the wearing of protective boots, an insurance group suggests.

Figures from Aviva UK Insurance show that the agricultural construction sector has one of the worst records for employee safety, with high-risk activities such as working at height causing a number of injuries.

As part of its 2009 Simple Safety campaign, the firm now suggests that building workers should wear personal protective equipment like protective boots before using machinery.

Phil Grace, liability risk manager at Aviva UK Insurance, said that the developing nature of the agricultural construction sector means that workers should take extra precautions to ensure their personal safety.

He commented: 'Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers have a duty to protect anyone who comes into contact with work activity, ensuring adequate provision is made for health and safety so far as is reasonably practical.'

The UK's Health and Safety Executive recently called on employers to ensure that construction workers continue to receive adequate safety gear such as protective boots despite the recession.

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