Fatal injuries on farms remain stubbornly high

As the annual Farm Safety Week (21st–25th July) kicks off, the latest figures from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) show 23 farm worker deaths were recorded in 2024/25.

An additional five farm workers lost their lives in Northern Ireland during the same period, bringing the total number of farm-related worker fatalities across the UK to 28.

Four members of the public including two children also lost their lives in farming accidents in the same period. Both children had accidents while using ATVs. 

Being killed by moving or overturning vehicles is again the main cause of fatality in the industry in 2024/25. 

Farm Safety Week is run by UK charity The Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies) and brings 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.  

Meaningful progress

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.  

Historically, the industry has faced alarming figures, with over 23,000 reported cases of long-term ill-health and serious injuries. However, there are now signs of a positive shift with the number of long-term ill health and serious injuries falling to 18,000.  

Furthermore, according 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. 

Risk taking and complacency 

Despite the encouraging reduction in claims and reported injuries, the 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. In the past year alone, these types of accidents cost rural insurer NFU Mutual over £48 million.  

Yellow Wellies continues to emphasise that reducing serious and fatal injuries is only part of the challenge. The charity highlights the need to address an underlying culture of risk-taking and complacency.

Research carried out by The Farm Safety Foundation revealed 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 explains: “‘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.”

Whilst attitudes are changing, the pace is too slow for families who have lost loved ones in preventable accidents, and those living with chronic pain, long-term illness, or life-altering injuries.

“We cannot accept this as the cost of doing business,” she added.

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Partnership with Australian counterparts 

This year, the charity has broadened the scope of the campaign and is working with their antipodean counterparts – Farmsafe Australia – to share stories, learnings and make a joint call for simple changes to save lives. 

Stevi Howdle, executive officer at Farmsafe Australia said: “Farm safety doesn’t stop at our fencelines. By working together globally, as advocates, researchers and industry leaders, we’re able to share lessons, spot trends, and better understand which challenges are uniquely environmental, and which ones are part of a bigger global story.  

“That collaboration strengthens all of us. It means we can respond with sharper insights, smarter strategies and a shared commitment to making farming safer for everyone, everywhere.”

Thirteen years of heartbreak  

Concluding, Stephanie made a heartfelt plea to farmers: “This is year 13 of Farm Safety Week. Thirteen years of stories. Thirteen years of heartbreak. Thirteen years of lives changed forever. 

“And still, too many are relying on luck to get home safe. Luck is not a safety strategy. It’s not a plan. It’s not enough. 

“So here’s my 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. 

“Change doesn’t happen overnight. It starts with one decision, one action, one conversation. We owe it to those we have lost. We owe it to those still living with the consequences. And we owe it to the next generation of farmers in the UK and Ireland and beyond.” 

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