Many accidents involve farm machinery

Health and safety officials are visiting farms in Leeds during May and will extend their inspections across Yorkshire during the next 12-months.

Inspectors will pay close attention to the use of farm vehicles, livestock, manual handling and child safety.

There were four fatal farm accidents in Yorkshire last year.

Bull death

Leeds inspector Charlie Callis said: "We want to send out a clear message to those in control of agricultural activities that failure to adequately assess the risks and control hazards can result in death, serious injuries and ill health."

Last year a self-employed farmer was killed by a bull.

A farm worker was killed when he fell from an all-terrain vehicle.

The other two deaths involved work on trees, one being a high fall.

Principal inspector Keith King said: "We will deal strongly with poor standards and take enforcement action against those who flout health and safety law."