A FREE computer package will be handed out to farmers to help them assess health and safety on their farms.

The software package, launched by the Health and Safety Executive, aims to help farmers carry out risk assessments.

The software is aimed at farm managers who are responsible for health and safety.

It provides a step-by-step guide to learning how farmers are expected to comply with the law.

Farming has one of the worst levels of fatal accidents. In the past 10 years, 489 people were killed as a result of farm work activities.

The software, which cost £90,000 to develop, can be obtained on CD-ROM from HSE Books, or downloaded from the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/assessment