Farming is the most dangerous profession in the UK, according to new figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Data suggests the industry continues to have the poorest safety record of any occupation.
Twenty-seven people lost their lives on farms in England, Scotland and Wales in 2023/24 – of these, four were members of the public, including two children.
One child was killed by a moving vehicle and the other by a collapsing wall.
While the total number of fatalities remained the same as the previous year, there was a slight increase in the number of farm workers killed in the workplace – 23, up from the 21 in 2022/23. Nearly 40% of these workers were over the age of 65.
The picture is similar in Northern Ireland where eight people were fatally injured in the farming sector, bringing the total across the UK to 35.
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Further analysis of the figures overall showed that while agriculture only accounts for 1% of the working population, the sector has 20% of all workplace deaths. This means one-fifth of all workplace deaths occur on farms.
Separate data from insurer NFU Mutual showed there were 937 farm accident claims in 2023/24 – a fall from 1,021 in 2022/23.
Claims totalled more than £68m and related to falls from a height, trapped body parts, as well as falling objects.
Both sets of figures have been released to coincide with the launch of Farm Safety Week today.
They also come just two months after the HSE announced it would be stopping farm inspections and instead be focusing on occupational health issues.
Sue Thompson, head of agriculture at the HSE, said “change requires a significant shift in culture”.
She urged farmers to “put the health and safety of themselves and others at the heart of what they do”.
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“It is important farmers remain healthy and safe as they carry out an incredibly important, but at times, difficult job,” she said.
“Sadly, the numbers of fatalities within the industry remain stubbornly high.
“All too often, the industry fails to properly manage health and safety risk in the workplace, resulting in serious and fatal injuries that could, and should, have been prevented.
“That children continue to be killed on Britain’s farms is a source of tragedy and sadness and is totally unacceptable.”
She added: “We will keep working with vital agricultural industry partners such as the Farm Safety Foundation/Yellow Wellies, however the whole industry must take the lead in driving the cultural change that is so desperately needed.”
