Figures released in time for Farm Safety Week reveal that while the numbers of people killed on Britain’s farms have fallen, agriculture continues to have the highest rates of worker fatal injury.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has today published a report that reveals agriculture has the worst rate of worker fatal injury in Great Britain.
Last year, 21 people were killed in agriculture in England, Scotland and Wales, with the youngest just four years old.
The report, ‘Fatal injuries in agriculture, forestry and fishing in Great Britain 2019/2020’, was published to coincide with the start of Farm Safety Week running this week from July 20-24.
Led by the Farm Safety Foundation charity, the week shines a light on safety and wellbeing in the sector. The HSE statistics highlight that agriculture continues to have the worst rate of worker fatal injury; 18 times higher than the average rate across all industries.
Around half of the workers killed were aged 55 years or older, with older workers being disproportionately most at risk of fatal injuries on farms.
Where is the danger?
Vehicle-related incidents – such as overturning vehicles or being struck by moving vehicles – were responsible for more deaths than any other cause last year. Tractors, a combine harvester, telescopic handlers, an all-terrain utility vehicle, and a boat were all among the causes.
Four farmers were killed after falling from a height, while a further four were struck by objects. Falls included a fragile roof, a telescopic handler, and a forklift truck, while objects which struck and fatally wounded farmers included a bale, trees and a tree branch.
Two farmers were killed by livestock – one incident involved a bull and the other a cow.
A further two were killed by machinery – specifically a rotavator and a seed drill – while the final two were killed by a mower unit and a steel structure collapsing.
‘Not an inevitable part of farming’
HSE’s head of agriculture Adrian Hodkinson said: “Agriculture is a vitally important part of our economy and has played an essential role during the coronavirus outbreak.
However, agriculture still has the poorest safety record of any occupation in GB. Despite the very welcome reduction in the number of deaths – 18 less than the previous year – much more remains to be done in this sector.
“Each individual death is a huge and devasting loss to their family, friends and the wider community. It is not acceptable that agriculture and forestry continue to have such high rates of people being killed, and we will continue to push for a wholesale change of attitude and behaviours toward safety within the sectors.
“Farm Safety Week is a timely reminder for the agriculture community to manage and control risk and not become complacent on farms.
Death, injuries and cases of ill-health, including poor mental health, are not an inevitable part of farming. The safety and wellbeing of people working and living on farms must be treated seriously and things must be done the right way every day, not just this week.
“The recent coronavirus outbreak at a farm shows how important it is for everyone in agriculture to take effective steps to control the risk of transmission and protect people from the virus.
“Inspectors are carrying out spot checks in workplaces to make sure they are Covid-secure and complying with the law and government guidance on social distancing, hygiene practices and supervision.”
HSE urges farmers to keep children safe whilst they stay at home on the farm during Covid-19 restrictions. Children must not be allowed in the farm workplace unless very carefully supervised.
The executive reminded farmers that is illegal to carry children under 13 in the cab of an agricultural vehicle and it is unsafe.
