Why Brian would be an effective mentor
- Alongside working on and managing the family farm since leaving school, Brian has run his independent H&S training and consultancy business since the early 1980s, specialising in farm Health and Safety, working with ATB, NPTC, RTITB and Lantra
- Brian holds TDLB and NEBOSH qualifications and is a member of IOSH’s rural industries group
- He is an External Quality Assurance (EQA) assessor for Lantra and also lead instructor for the HSE/Lantra SHAD team (Safety & Health Awareness Days).
- His areas of expertise include all aspects of general farm safety including working with animals; lift trucks; tractors and ATVs; machinery; pesticides; ground care; working at heights; construction site safety; general H&S
- A skilled communicator, Brian has trained and advised about farm H&S for most of his adult life, and finds the role of visiting or addressing farmers to help them implement safer ways of working very rewarding
- Brian is chair of the Wales Farm Safety Partnership, which has brought together all key stakeholder organisations in Wales to help make Welsh farms safer places to work
- Brian can provide support on the new agricultural pollution regulations.
Current farm business
- 247 acre farm, 74 acres rented
- 700 sheep producing breeding ewes and finished lambs
- 16,000 free-range laying hens
Qualifications/achievements/experience
- Various roles with the YFC including County, Wales and National Chairman and President of Radnorshire YFC
- Member of Council
- Fellowship of the Royal Agricultural Societies for services to H&S (FRAgS)
- Awarded an Honorary Life Vice-Presidency for services to the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS)
- RWAS chief steward of traffic management
- Chair of Governors and parent-governor, Llandrindod High School
- Country Landowners & Business Association (CLA) – past chairman and president of Brecon & Radnor branch
- Worked with HSE on accident investigation and expert witness activities
Top tips for business success
“Always make sure that everyone working on your farm is trained or competent to do the job.”
“Keep all vehicles and machinery in good, safe working order and ensure they are routinely subject to maintenance checks.”
“Always practice the ‘Safe Stop’ procedure before leaving the driver’s/operator’s position, when anyone else approaches or before anyone carries out maintenance, adjustments or deals with a blockage. Use your handbrake; controls in neutral; switch off the engine; take the key out.”
“When you work with large animals, use the right safety equipment, try to avoid working alone and never assume you know how they’ll react.”