It’s hard to believe that this is our 7th annual Farm Safety Week says Stephanie Berkeley, Manager of the Farm Safety Foundation…
In a year when it has been revealed that, despite there being seven times more workers employed in the construction industry than agriculture, forestry and fishing, you are actually seven times more likely to be killed on a farm than on a construction site! *
Awareness of farm safety is at an all-time high with 67% of all farmers aware of Farm Safety Week. However, over the past year, we still lost another 32 workers in the industry, a 9% increase on the previous year. Awareness may be one thing – don’t you think the time has now come for some real ACTION.
When NFU Mutual launched Farm Safety Week back in 2013, it was seen as an opportunity for the country’s leading rural insurer to highlight an issue of concern to many of its members. The company insures three-quarters of the UK’s farmers and takes the issue of farm safety and looking after its members seriously.
After the initial campaign, NFU Mutual’s board agreed that farm safety merited more than one week focus in the year and agreed to set up and fund an independent charity to support the next generation of farmers and start to tackle the poor safety record the industry has, not just for one week but every day of the year and, the Farm Safety Foundation was born…
Since 2014, the Foundation has managed the Farm Safety Week campaign and we have grown it into a collaborative annual initiative involving over 200 partners in five countries – England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Despite the work being done to raise awareness of farm safety and challenge and change the behaviours of farmers and the increased attention farmers’ mental wellbeing has received in recent years from our Mind Your Head, SAYFC ‘Are Ewe Okay’ and Farmers’ Weekly ‘Fit2Farm’ campaigns, with the figures we are seeing, so much more can, and must be done…
Two more children lost their lives last week in incidents involving farm vehicles so isn’t it time to sit up, take note and take action? Farming, as an industry, is vital to the UK economy – it is the bedrock of our food and drink industry. On a farm, as with any business, the number one resource is the people so why do farmers still give more attention to their livestock, crops and machinery than to themselves and their own wellbeing?
Many farmers are using technology, learning business skills and taking innovative steps to make their farm businesses safe, resilient and sustainable but it is equally important for them to realise that they are the farms greatest asset? Investing in your physical and mental wellbeing will be the only way to really future proof your business… and your life.
Honesty is a highly respected attribute in the farming community. Real stories have the power to cut through because they are rooted in truth and, this year, we have some truly inspirational people who have shared their journey, their personal experience and how they are using this to drive change and, in one case, what that ‘lightbulb moment’ was… literally.
At 11.00 today we will be releasing our new hero film titled Mud, Sweat and Tears on Facebook / Twitter / Instagram. Please take two minutes to watch, like and share or retweet it. This year we’re keeping it real and sharing the stories of four incredible farmers whose resilience, tenacity and clear drive to make a difference could, and should, inspire everyone in the industry.
We are proud to work in this area and help make a real difference in an industry that we love and respect. Over the past six years, we have delivered successful campaigns and we will continue to do so. The Farm Safety Foundation can continue to train the next generation, conduct research into farm safety behaviours and attitudes and use these real stories to create powerful and emotive films but the rest is up to you…
The real change lies in your hands…
Stephanie Berkeley
Manager, Farm Safety Foundation
To read the HSE Fatal Injury in Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing 2018/2019 report CLICK HERE
