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.

READ MORE: Farmers encouraged to take part in #Take5StayAlive campaign
READ MORE: New towing alliance launches to improve safety across UK

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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The driver of the Mercedes failed a roadside drug test after the accident, which caused a tractor towing a slurry tanker to veer off the road.

Matthew Cumpsty appeared at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday 15th July, where he was handed a 12-month community order, including 200 hours community service. 

He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and £114 surcharge.

The 52-year-old, of Oldfield Drive, Great Boughton, had earlier pleaded guilty to drug driving and dangerous driving.

The court heard that at around 6.30am on Tuesday 1st April, Cumpsty was driving a silver Mercedes E-Class on Green Lane in Chester.

As he approached the junction with the A51, Vicars Cross Road, he drove straight through a red light, into the path of a JCB tractor, which had been travelling out of Chester.

The impact of the collision caused the tractor to veer off path and crash into homes at the side of the road.

Watch the video:

Emergency services attended the scene and on arrival found that two properties had suffered serious structural damage. Thankfully, there were no reports of any injuries as a result of the incident.

Cumpsty was arrested at the scene after failing a roadside drugs swipe. A toxicology report later reveal that he was over the limit for benzoylecgonine (cocaine) with 65 micrograms per litre of blood, over the limit of 50 micrograms per litre.

CCTV footage recovered from the scene showed him clearly driving through the red light.

READ MORE: Tractor “fully alight” within two minutes in Staffordshire blaze 
READ MORE: Dorset police plea for information after crops were damaged

Life-changing impact

Following the sentencing, police constable Richard Phillips, said:

“While Cumpsty has shown remorse for his actions, the impact of his actions that day were lifechanging and it was pure chance that nobody suffered any serious injuries.

“As a result of one bad decision to get behind the wheel while under the influence, several families were left homeless and commuters travelling into Chester were left with serious disruption for several weeks while repair work was undertaken.

“In addition, Cumpsty is facing a lengthy driving ban, I hope that this ban will give him time to reflect on his actions that day.”

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Firefighters in Staffordshire were called out to Rugeley on Thursday evening (10^th July) after a tractor caught fire while being driven back to Cowley Hill Farm. 

Farmer Will Roobottom said his brother was driving back from tedding when a small fire started on the right-hand side of the bonnet. Within two minutes of pulling over on Pipe Ridware Road, about a mile from the farm, the tractor was fully ablaze.

Two fire engines from Litchfield and Abbots Bromley attended the scene, taking about 20-30 minutes to bring the fire under control. 

The cause of the fire is not known. 

The farm shared photos and a video of the tractor fully alight, before being tackled by firefighters and the shell of the vehicle eventually being towed away. 

Watch the video:

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A post shared by Will From Cowley Hill (@cowleyhillfarm)

Cowley Hill Farm’s social media confirmed no one was hurt: 

‘Massive thank you to everyone that came and helped yesterday evening. 

‘Where would we be without the fire service and the community around us to pull together to avoid the fire turning into a bigger problem. 

‘Metal can be replaced and luckily everyone is safe and sound. Thank you for all of the support from everyone.’

The sheep farm, which also produces hay and haylage for horses, is now in the process of looking for a replacement tractor.

“The big thing for us it was our only loader tractor on the farm – we do a lot of delivering haylage and hay to people and it’s our main tractor so it’s a bit of a pain that we haven’t got it,” Will told Farmers Guide.

“We’re borrowing a neighbour’s tractor on and off but we can’t have it 24/7.”

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The 14-year-old boy was fatally injured by machinery at Hillview Farm on Thursday, 17th April.

Harry’s father revealed that his son had been saving up for a tractor before his tragic death.

“He got an opportunity to work on this farm and was so happy to get that job. It would have been his 15th birthday next month, and he was saving up for a tractor,” the heartbroken father said.

Harry’s mother, Hollie Mcmurray, added that her world “has fallen apart” following the death of her firstborn son.

“My boy forever loved. Fly high, my homing pigeon,” she said.

READ MORE: Boy, 14, who was saving up for tractor dies in farm machinery accident

‘Let’s give this young man the best send-off’

The local community has come together to organise a tractor run in memory of the teenager, which will take place just before his funeral.

Andy Tipping of the Vintage Tractor & Engine Club West Midlands Group said: “I have been asked to arrange a convoy of tractors to give Harry the best send-off.

“Harry loved tractors and farming. I already have a few coming; let’s give this young man the best send-off.”

The tractor run will start off at 11.25am at Brick Barns Farm on Hanley Road in Malvern on Tuesday 3rd June and will finish at the St Mary the Virgin Church, Madresfield, where the funeral service will take place at 12 noon. Everybody is welcome to attend.

Jackson Family Funeral Directors said: “Dress code, Harry loved everything outdoors, from farming and fishing to rugby, so with that, please dress smart casual with a country flair where possible.”

The service will be followed by a reception at Malvern Rugby Football Club at 1.30pm, where Harry was a rugby player.

Ms Mcmurray added: “I have a little ask from anyone who will be attending Harry’s funeral. If anyone has any photos of him of any age, if u could kindly print them off and bring them along to the Malvern Rugby Club on the day, where they can be collected together for us all to share his loving memories.”

A fundraising page has been launched by the family friend Maggie Murrihy to help cover the cost of his funeral. Support the family here.

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UK Power Networks distributes electricity to 8.4 million homes and businesses across the South East, East of England and London. 

The team said that knowing the reach of your machinery and highlighting the position of overhead lines and underground cables on your farm maps can help in planning your work. 

Communicating where the electricity network is to staff, third parties and visitors before they start any work is also vital.

Top safety tips

The UK Power Networks has issued essential advice that could save your life:

• Plan ahead: mark overhead and underground power cables on farm maps. Inform all staff, contractors and visitors where they are situated. Cable plans can be requested at www.Isbud.co.uk and from your local distribution network operator.
• Look out look up: find out the maximum reach of all machinery and consider how it can be used safely.
• Check around you before loading or unloading, using tipper trailers in fields and when stacking. Take special care in dark or poor light conditions, especially when tired.
• Stay alert: remain vigilant when using GPS auto steer systems. Always assume power lines are live even if they are damaged and stay well away.
• Exit plan: know how to exit your vehicle in case of an emergency – keep at least ten metres away from fallen power lines. Stay in the cab and call 105.  If you need to get out, jump well clear so that no contact is made between you, the vehicle and the ground at the same time.
• Loading: never raise the bed of a tipper lorry underneath an overhead power line or drive under the line with the body of the vehicle raised.
• Avoid building up the land or adding hardstanding below existing power lines.
• Call 0800 3163105 or just 105 in an emergency. Download the What3Words app to help explain your location.

Work safe. Stay safe. Go home safe.

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Harry Moss was fatally injured by machinery at Hillview Farm on Thursday, 17th April.

Another man was also injured and taken to hospital, but his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing, media reported.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Harry’s heartbroken father, Lewis Moss, said that he rushed to the farm just after he heard about his son’s accident.

He added: “The lad who owned the farm phoned me and he just said, ‘You need to get down the farm. It’s Harry. It’s really bad’.

“’When I got down there, they were still trying to work on him, but he was gone. The only solace I’ve got is when I went to see him yesterday in the morgue, I asked the lady and she said by the extent of his injuries, it was instant.”

Mr Moss has also paid tribute to his son by saying that Harry was “the best thing in the world”.

“All Harry ever wanted to be was a farmer. He loved everything about the countryside and everything about farming.

“At a very early age he set his sights on being a farmer when he left school.”

“I never had a single worry about him. He would have been 15 in a month, and I cannot believe he has gone. He was my world.” Mr Moss added.

‘Fly high my homing pigeon’

The boy’s father also revealed that Harry had been saving up for a tractor before his tragic death.

“He got an opportunity to work on this farm and was so happy to get that job. It would have been his 15th birthday next month, and he was saving up for a tractor,” the heartbroken father added.

Harry’s jobs at the farm included lambing and getting firewood logs, Daily Mail has confirmed.

Harry’s mother, Hollie Mcmurray, added that her world “has fallen apart” following the death of her firstborn son.

“My boy forever loved. Fly high my homing pigeon,” she added.

A fundraising page has been launched by the family friend Maggie Murrihy to help cover the cost of his funeral. Support the family here.

West Mercia Police and the Health and Safety Executive are investigating the tragic accident.

The family was asked by police not to disclose exactly how Harry died and what task he was doing at the time of the horror accident, Daily Mail reported.

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James Dargan-Cole, 25, of Todmorden, had failed to put arrangements in place to either avoid working at height completely or prevent a fall while doing so, the Health and Safety Executive said.

The 29-year-old labourer, Jacob Thomas, suffered serious injuries at Great House Farm on 13th April 2023.

The incident happened during his first day on the job when he had been removing wooden boarding behind the roof of a lower barn structure.

Mr Thomas took a step and fell through one of the skylights to the floor below. His horrific injuries included a brain haemorrhage as well as multiple fractures, including to his skull, the sternum, the spine and the shoulder.

An investigation by HSE found that as well as failing to consider the work at height, the roof in question also contained asbestos fibres. Dargan-Cole lacked the understanding of the risks and the associated controls to manage the risks whilst dismantling the lower barn structure.

‘Poor planning and management’

HSE’s campaign “Asbestos and You” reminds tradespeople about the dangers of asbestos and the importance of working safely with it.

Asbestos can be found in buildings built before 2000 and is still the biggest workplace killer in Britain, causing around 5,000 deaths every year.

When disturbed, asbestos releases tiny fibres that can cause fatal lung diseases and cancers. More information can be found here.

James Dargan-Cole pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(3) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. He was handed a 12-month community order with 200 hours of unpaid work in the community and ordered to pay £2,500 in costs at Leeds Magistrates’ Court.

Principal inspector Paul Thompson from HSE said: “Mr Thomas suffered horrific injuries due to the failure to ensure protective fall prevention or collective fall mitigation measures were in place. These are well known and long-standing within the industry.

“This incident came about as a result of poor planning, management and monitoring of activities during work at height. I hope this case serves as an example and a reminder to others about the potential deadly risks they often undertake and how they should be approached.”

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Bartosz Gaj, a blender operative, had been attempting to clear a blockage at AB Agri Limited’s premises in Fridaythorpe, Driffield on 3rd November 2021.

Mr Gaj’s hand was drawn into the conveyor mechanism, severing the 34-year-old’s right arm below the elbow, Health and Safety Executive confirmed.

He had only been working at the company for a few months at the time of the incident. As a result of his life-changing injury, Mr Gaj was unable to return to work for more than two years. He has had to adapt all aspects of his daily life.

The conveyor had been installed a few months before the incident and was prone to blockages which needed to be cleared by pulling out a manual slide plate, removing the accumulated material and resetting a cut-off switch.

The HSE investigation found that operatives routinely cleared blockages themselves if they could be done quickly, even though they had not been adequately trained in isolation procedures. There had been no review of the risk assessment for operating the conveyor, when the new conveyor was installed.

‘Easily avoided injury’

The investigation also found that there was no system for checking that guards and safety features were in place prior to using the conveyor.

HSE guidance states that effective measures should be taken to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery. In addition, machinery should be isolated before interventions are carried out.

Employees should be adequately trained in isolation procedures. Further guidance is available on the HSE website.

AB Agri Limited of Weston Centre, Grosvenor Street, London pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £566,000 and ordered to pay costs of £6,410 at Hull Magistrates’ Court.

HSE inspector Sally Gay said that the life changing injury Mr Gaj suffered could so easily have been avoided by properly assessing the risks, and applying the correct control measures and safe working practices.

“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards,” she added.

READ MORE: Father of toddler struck by telehandler given 12-month prison sentence 

READ MORE: ‘He had a heart of gold’ – farmer killed by exploding tractor tyre

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The farmer told BBC News that he was woken up by his partner Emily at around midnight on 8th March when she realised the barn was on fire.

“I quickly ran outside. I could hear the piglets squealing. We’ve got a lot of collector cars in the shed as well, they all got burnt. The glass was smashing.

“I ran in and out four times carrying piglets, three at a time. I passed them to Emily so she would put them in the barn safe on the other side of the farm,” Mr Apsey told the media.

‘The mission was to get piglets out regardless’

The farmer said that, unfortunately, a collector’s tractor that his son received from his grandfather got destroyed in the fire.

He added that the fire service “told him off” for running into the burning barn.

“You don’t think of that at the time; the mission was to get the piglets out regardless,” BBC News reported.

Mr Apsey was named a “hero” among his local community and has been asked for autographs, however, he hopes that he will never have to experience a similar situation again.

He told Somerset Live: “We are just so glad the animals are okay. My animals are my life. They’re pets.”

Hero Somerset farmer rescues new-born piglets in barnyard blaze https://t.co/ugJi0Xg4JR

— Somerset Live (@SomersetLive) March 11, 2025

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On 7th May 2021, Joshua Hardman was working at the farm in Lancashire, run by W Hesketh and Sons.

The father-of-one from Longridge had been helping one of the partners in the business, Bill Hesketh, re-seat and inflate a large tractor tyre.

As Mr Hesketh inflated the inner tube within the tyre, it suddenly exploded and the catastrophic release of compressed air propelled the wheel rim into Mr Hardman, causing traumatic head injuries.

He was taken to hospital and underwent skull and brain surgeries, but he subsequently passed away on 11th June after a further deterioration in his condition.

‘Heart of gold’

Mr Hesketh’s family described the farmer as a “very loving, caring, kind and gentle person”.

They added: “He had a heart of gold. He was also an amazing dad, and it is heart-breaking that he will never reach his full potential in that role.

“His five-year-old daughter will miss out on a great deal of love and affection and the role he would have played in her life.”

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that W Hesketh and Sons had failed to properly assess and plan this work activity.

They also failed to identify and put in place the measures necessary to control the risks involved when inflating large commercial tyres.

The investigation also found that the risk of an explosion was much higher because the tyre, wheel rim and inner tube were all in a poorly maintained condition.

A suitable and sufficient assessment had not been made to determine whether the damaged tyre, inner tube and wheel rim were suitable to be inflated safely.

W Hesketh and Sons, of Hutton, Preston, pleaded guilty to breaching regulation 2(1) of the Health and Safety At Work Act 1974. The partnership was fined £80,000 and ordered to pay £8,605 in costs.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Anthony Banks said: “This was a tragic incident, and a much-loved young man has lost his life. It could have easily been avoided with the right controls in place.

“HSE would like to make all employers aware that, before they undertake the inflation of large commercial tyres, they need to have correctly assessed the risk and have in place the suitable controls for the task.”

The thoughts of the Farmers Guide team are with the Family during this difficult time and their continuing hardships.

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