Stay Safe on the Farm.

1. Introduction

Agriculture remains one of the most dangerous industries in the UK. Over the last five years, 156 people have died on farms, averaging 31 fatalities per year, including 25 members of the public and 7 children. Fatality rates in farming are 21 times higher than the all‑industry average and five times higher than construction.

Recent figures show the trend continuing: in April–June last year, agriculture accounted for 40% of all workplace deaths, and provisional HSE data for 2025–26 recorded 33 fatalities. Since 1 April 2026, there have been seven deaths in seven consecutive weeks.

2. Common Causes of Fatalities

Struck by moving vehicles
Contact with machinery
Livestock incidents
Falls from height
Falling objects

3. Legal Responsibilities

Health & Safety at Work Act 1974

Employers must:

Provide a safe workplace and safe systems of work
Ensure machinery and equipment are safe
Provide welfare facilities
Offer training, information, and supervision

Employees must:

Follow training and instructions
Use equipment correctly
Avoid interfering with safety equipment
Take reasonable care
Co‑operate with employers

Children & Machinery (PACAR 1998)

No child under 13 may drive or ride on agricultural machines
Under‑16s must not operate harvesters, PTO machinery, or adult ATVs
Older children must be risk‑assessed, trained, mature, and supervised

4. Workplace Vehicles

Key Rules

Max tractor road speed: 25 mph (40 km/h)
JCB/Unimog: up to 40 mph (65 km/h)
Mobile phone use: 6 points + £200 fine

Vehicle Hazards

Collision, overturning, entanglement, crushing, powerlines, falls, dust/pollen, noise/vibration.

Safe Practices

Daily checks (tyres, fluids, guards, hoses)
Report faults
Stay off mobile devices
Use Safe Stop: handbrake → neutral → engine off → remove key
Adjust driving to conditions
Keep workspace tidy
Take care on slopes

Maintenance Safety

Wait for moving parts to stop
Chock raised parts
Use correct jacks
Beware hydraulic pressure
Follow manufacturer instructions
Replace guards
Ensure area is clear before restarting

5. Work Equipment (PUWER 1998)

Includes hand tools, power tools, ladders, welders, augers, grain dryers, lifting equipment, presses.

Risks: death, serious injury, equipment damage, business disruption.

Checks: condition, cables/plugs, suitability, PPE, guarding, testing, instructions, awareness of others.

6. Emergency Action Plan (EAP)

Site‑specific and displayed
Staff must know procedures
Identifies all potential incidents
Defines roles during emergencies
Clear action notices
First aiders and first aid locations must be known
All first aid recorded; near misses reported

7. Fire Safety

Follow EAP procedures
Know alarms, detectors, extinguishers
Identify escape routes
Know gas/electric shut‑off points
Follow hot‑works protocols
Use What3Words/GPS for remote locations

8. CoSHH

Risks include irritation, poisoning, burns, breathing issues, and death.

Key controls:

Follow COSHH assessments
Wear PPE
Store chemicals correctly
Label containers
Wash hands after use

9. Manual Handling

Back injuries are a major cause of long‑term sickness. A quarter of workplace accidents involve manual handling.

Do: Assess load, split loads, use mechanical aids, ask for help, lift with legs, keep load close, minimise carrying distance.

Don’t: Lift beyond capability, twist or bend back, carry across hazards, attempt “hero” lifts.

10. Working Outdoors

Hazards: weather, lone working, water, vehicles, animals, personal safety. Risks: hypothermia, heat exhaustion, sunburn, drowning, Weil’s disease, insect bites, injury, inability to call for help.

11. Public Access

Farmers must protect non‑employees under HASAWA 1974 and Occupiers Liability Act 1984.

Controls:

Assess risks to public
Keep rights of way safe
Restrict access to hazardous areas
Use signage
Ensure staff know public routes
Maintain a safe farmyard

Dealing with the Public: Stay calm, tell the truth, listen, balance arguments, use open body language, avoid confrontation, walk away if needed.

12. Mental Health & Wellbeing

Male farm workers are three times more likely to die by suicide than the national average. Three people in UK agriculture die by suicide every week.

Take 5 to Stay Alive: Pause 5 minutes before tasks, evaluate risks, prevent exhaustion, check in on yourself and colleagues.

13. Further Guidance