SHEEP farmers across Kirklees and Calderdale can expect a visit from a health and safety inspector to check their workplaces in the New Year.

A team of seven inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive in Leeds will be carrying out checks as part of a year-long inspection programme aimed at reducing the toll of accidents and ill health in the agricultural sector.

They will be paying particular attention to workplace transport, falls from height, manual handling, managing asbestos, sheep dipping and lone working.

HSE Inspector Pat Caunt who has organised the blitz said: "These checks are being made to ensure that adequate precautions are taken by employers and the self-employed to protect the health and safety of all workers.

"We are particularly keen to see what arrangements farmers have in place to prevent their exposure to hazardous chemicals including those used to dip sheep.

"We will also be checking on the training of and personal protection used by people driving quad bikes.

"As the recent accident involving rock star Ozzy Osbourne has illustrated, the importance of correct standards by users of quad bikes, which have resulted in three fatal accidents, two of which involved children on farms in the UK this year, cannot be underestimated.

"Although the inspectors will offer help and advice, we will not hesitate in taking enforcement action to deal with any matter of evident concern which could affect the safety of workers or any other person, including members of the public."