Preventing falls from height and reducing back, neck and limb injuries to rural workers are the two priority issues for the Health and Safety Executive during this year's Royal Highland Show which starts at Ingliston on Thursday.

During the four days of the show, HSE will be working in partnership with the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives, the Scottish Ambulance Service and NHS 24 promoting messages of, prevention, protection and reassurance to Scotland's agricultural community at an exhibition called "It shouldn't happen to a rural worker"..

A life size figure falling from a scaffold tower forms the centrepiece of HSE's display at the RHS. There will also be a demonstration on how to safely handle a 45 gallon drum. Staff will be on hand to speak to visitors, offer advice on working safely, particularly at height, and on practical ways to prevent musculoskeletal injuries.

HSE is currently running a Height Aware campaign to warn trades people and anyone working at height, even at a low level, that they could be at serious risk of injury if they don't plan work properly, assess the risks and choose the right equipment.

HSE is emphasising that even simple tasks carried out at relatively low height, can lead to major injuries and in some cases death, without proper care.

In Scotland nearly 1000 people were injured by falls from height last year. Throughout Great Britain, in 2004/05, an estimated 11.6million working days were lost due to serious musculoskeletal disorders such as back pain, many of which could easily have been prevented.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affect muscles, joints, tendons and other parts of the musculoskeletal system. Injury can happen while doing any activity that involves some form of movement of the body, from heavy lifting to typing.

MSDs are the most common occupational illness in Great Britain. They include problems such as low back pain, joint injuries and repetitive strain injuries of various sorts.

Cheryl; Anthony, HSE Principal Inspector of Agriculture said:

"Farmers and farm workers throughout Scotland are at daily risk of serious injury or even death because they are failing to take sensible steps to reduce the risks they take, either when working at height, or when lifting heavy objects. A little planning of work activities could save a lot of pain and distress and will actually benefit businesses by avoiding the costs and lost production time that workplace accidents cause."

"A this year's Royal Highland Show, we will be highlighting these issues, and speaking to farmers about simple steps they can take to reduce the risks to them and their employees. We are here to help and would encourage as many farmers as possible to come and see us - our advice could save their life."