Farming remains the deadliest profession in Britain, according to new figures released today (Monday, July 21) at the start of Farm Safety Week.
In 2024/25 alone, 23 farm workers lost their lives on farms across Great Britain. Nearly half of the workers killed were over the age of 65.
The situation is similar in Northern Ireland, where five agricultural workers were killed over the same period, according to the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI).
As the 13th annual Farm Safety Week campaign kicks off, the charity behind it said that, over the past 13 years, an average of 31 lives have been lost on farms every year – 27 farm workers and 4 members of the public, including children.
Farm Safety Week is an annual awareness-raising campaign run by UK charity the Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies) and aims to bring attention to “the dangers farmers face every day growing food for the nation”.
In an industry that accounts for 1% of the working population, farming accounts for nearly 20% of all workplace deaths. This gives farming the poorest safety record of any occupation in the UK.
Figures released by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) show that, in addition to the 23 farm workers, 4 members of the public lost their lives last year in Great Britain.
Two of the members of the public killed were children, both of whom had accidents while using all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).
Being killed by moving or overturning vehicles is again the main cause of fatality in the industry in 2024/25.
The annual farm safety campaign brings together voices from across the UK and Ireland to “reflect on another heartbreaking year for farming families, with lives lost or changed forever and communities deeply affected”.
This year, the charity has broadened the scope of the campaign and is working with Farmsafe Australia to share stories, learnings and make a joint call for “simple changes to save lives”.
While the agricultural sector has long been associated with high rates of injury and ill health, recent data suggests that meaningful progress is being made in improving farm safety.
Aaccording to rural insurer NFU Mutual, the number of farm accident claims in the UK dropped from 937 in 2023/24 to 894 in 2024/25.
“Though modest, this decline is a welcome indication that safety initiatives and awareness campaigns may be starting to have an impact”, the Farm Safety Foundation said.
Despite this, causes of farm accidents remain consistent and concerning. Incidents involving moving vehicles, falls from height, slips and trips, and trapped body parts continue to dominate the statistics.
The Farm Safety Foundation emphasises that reducing serious and fatal injuries is only part of the challenge, with the charity highlighting the need to address “an underlying culture of risk-taking and complacency”.
Research carried out by The Farm Safety Foundation shows that 81% of farmers in the UK believe that ‘complacency’ – always having it done that way – is a major contributor to having a farm accident, while 82% cite ‘attitude’ as the major contributor.
Stephanie Berkeley, Farm Safety Foundation manager, said: “‘I’ve always done it that way’ is a phrase we hear all too often.
“Although confidence built over years on the land is a strength, it can also become a blind spot. When you start to underestimate the dangers of the vehicles, equipment and animals we know so well, we risk letting routine turn deadly. Experience should guide caution, not excuse it.
“This is a plea to everyone working and living in the industry. Please, stop and reflect. Look at your daily routine, your equipment, your mindset. Ask yourself, what can I do today to make my farm safer? For myself. For my family. For the people who work with me,” Berkeley added.
