According to the latest figures released by HSE this week, of the 137 work-related fatalities in the UK during 2016/17, 27 were on farms, the same number of workers as the previous year!
This is sobering news as, once again, our industry came out worst when considering the number of deaths per 100,000 workers employed, with an annual injury rate 18 times higher than the national industry average, including construction!
Now, more than ever, it’s time to back campaigns such as Farm Safety Week, which takes place later this month.
The week involves all the key figures from agriculture from five countries working together over five days with five themes and one key message – that farm safety is a lifestyle, not a slogan.
Farming continues to have one of the poorest safety records of any occupation in the UK & Ireland but all the main farming organisations in the partner countries are working together for this week to address this…
The initiative is supported the Farm Safety Foundation, Farm Safety Partnerships, the Health & Safety Executive, Health & Safety Executive for Northern Ireland and the Health & Safety Authority, Ireland.
Farm Safety Week UK & Ireland has been timed to coincide with the Royal Welsh Show, the pinnacle event in the British agricultural calendar which takes place at the showgrounds in Llanelwedd.
The Farm Safety Partnerships have been working hard to share messages, advice and guidance for those working in this great industry and the latest NI Farm Safety Partnership advert was launched at the recent Balmoral Show in Northern Ireland but, despite more noise around farm safety, farmers of all ages are still taking risks when working and this needs to stop.
There are some big plans for this year’s Farm Safety Week and the team have scoured the country to gather inspirational stories to support each theme and offer valuable safety reminders about approaching farming tasks in the future. So this month don’t forget to wear the Yellow Wellies lapel badge and follow us on Twitter @yellowwelliesUK and Like and Retweet our content throughout the week using the hashtag #FarmSafetyWeek
Let’s make one change for the better.
