Worries about trespass and public rights of way are the most common health and safety concerns raised by South West farmers according to rural insurer Cornish Mutual.

It comes after the South West insurance company ran a series of free health and safety events across the region in 2016, with hundreds of farmers attending.

Cornish Mutual compiled a list of the most commonly asked questions put to their experts over the year. And while the events covered a wide variety of farm-related health and safety issues - from working at heights through to first aid – by far the biggest concern was how farmers manage the public on their land.

Arthur Denton, Member Services Advisor, for Cornish Mutual, said the events had been a huge success and raised a number of concerns that affect those in agricultural communities throughout the areas the insurer covers: Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset.

“It was clear to us from very early on that Members and non-Members attending our events needed clarification on the law surrounding the rights of the land owner when it comes to the public, so we were talking about Rights of Way and trespass at every event.

“Farmers want to make sure that they are acting in the most responsible way, so that they can run their business properly and that the public can access the land safely and legally. We were delighted to be able to share our expert knowledge with farmers and land owners who were unsure about what they are and are not allowed to do on their own land. Hopefully releasing the eight most frequently asked questions will be helpful to others.”

Alan Goddard, Managing Director of Cornish Mutual, said: “We have had a tremendous response from those coming to our health and safety events this year. There is a huge appetite within the agricultural community to meet and take part in practical demonstrations which help people keep up to speed with health and safety issues. We will be running more in 2017, so I encourage people to keep an eye on our website, and social media, for dates.”

Cornish Mutual has more than 24,000 Members across Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset, and is the only general insurer based in the South West offering insurance to farms, businesses and individuals.

The health and safety campaign consisted of 8 free events during 2016, provided farmers with free access to experts and information to ultimately cut the number of deaths and serious injuries in agriculture across the region. The final event for the year took place in November at Hatherleigh Farmers Market, Devon.

Cornish Mutual’s quick guide to the five most commonly asked questions.

The information given is correct at the time of writing. Guidelines and laws can and do change. Cornish Mutual recommend that anyone looking to find out more on any of these issues should ask an expert, such as their insurer, or read more at www.gov.uk/right-of-way-open-access-land/

Q: What if someone strays from the path on a Right of Way?

A: Once a person strays from the Right of Way they usually become a trespasser and you normally have the right to ask them to return to the Right of Way, or to leave your land. Also, a Right of Way is not a Right to Stay!

Q: Can I erect a gate to stop people from entering my land?

A: Yes. So long as you are not blocking or hindering the entrance to a Public Right of Way and subject to any local planning permissions that you may require.

Q: What if someone falls down a cattle grid?

A: It would depend on the level of the duty of care, however if you have a warning sign highlighting the danger then you may absolve yourself of any liability if the other person decides to take the risk and cross the cattle grid

Q: How can we protect people who are careless?

A: The answer to this question is that you can’t completely! You must, however, ensure that your land is made as free as possible from all obvious hazards and then any risk (that is willingly accepted by any person) that the person takes which causes them damage or injury maybe at their own risk.

Q: Can the Local Authority just erect stiles on my land?

A: If the stile is erected on a Right of Way the local authority can. The Right of Way remains part of the “Queens Highway”.