Eight agricultural workers have died on farms in Northern Ireland due to falls from heights since 2020, with two of those deaths occurring this year alone.

That is according to the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI), which has announced that it will be carrying out a targeted farm inspection initiative this July in response to these deaths.

HSENI outlined that the initiative is aimed at "ensuring that the farming community is prioritising safety when working at height".

Gemma Mooney, who is a principal inspector for HSENI, stated that "farming continues to have one of the poorest safety records of any industry", with falls from heights remaining as "one of the most persistent killers".

Mooney said: "Many of the incidents we see share common causes - task wasn’t planned, incorrect equipment selected or no protection measures in place.

"So, our inspectors aren't visiting farms to catch people out – we're there to talk through the real risks of everyday jobs and help farmers get home safely at the end of the day," she outlined.

While acknowledging that the initiative will "offer practical advice and guidance" to farmers, Mooney warned that "enforcement action may follow" where serious risks are identified.

According to HSENI, the inspections will focus on maintenance, and repair works of farm structures and buildings, alongside preparation of silage clamps and tree works.

A farm's compliance with legal requirements will be assessed by inspectors, who will "provide practical guidance to improve safety standards on farms of all sizes".

Advice

HSENI listed the following "simple" tips for farmers working at height:

Ensure that you have the right equipment, which has been well maintained with no defects;
Consider if there is a "better or new" way to carry out the work, which does not involve working from a height;
If roof repairs are being carried out, ask yourself if the work could be completed from below;
Place straw bales or similar materials beneath a roof work area to provide a temporary working platform or minimise fall distance;
When working in groups, use collective protection measures, such as working platforms;
Consider engaging "competent contractors" for high-risk tasks.

Mooney added that the goal of the initiative is to remind farmers to "stop, think, and assess the risks before working at height".

"A few extra minutes spent planning a task properly can be the difference between going home safely and a life-changing or fatal injury."