Agriculture still has the highest rate of fatalities in Britain and farm workers over 65 are the most vulnerable, according to HSE stats.
Statistics revealed during Farm Safety Week showed that 33 deaths were recorded in the agricultural sector between March 2017 and July 2018.
The HSE’s annual ‘Fatal injuries in agriculture, forestry and fishing’ report said that 29 agricultural workers were killed at work, with an additional four members of the public – two of them children – also dying.
The average rate of fatal injuries in agriculture stands at 8.44 deaths per 100,000, which is the highest of any sector and stands 18 times higher than the all industry average.
Rick Brunt, Head of Agriculture at HSE said: “While we are seeing signs of an industry eager to improve this record, the high death rate emphasises the need for determined action by all involved in the farming industry if we are to bring about a real change to these appalling figures.”
Breaking down the stats, being injured by an animal came out as the most common cause of death, resulting in eight fatalities last year.
Six people were killed after being hit my a moving vehicle and five by being trapped by something else.
There were four deaths resulting from being struck by an object and three from falls from height.
The also statistics also revealed that almost half of the agricultural workers killed last year were over 65.
Rick Brunt added: “The causes of death have remained the same for years and the ways to prevent them are well known and straightforward. Work in the Farm Safety Partnership and through industry leaders suggests the industry is on the brink of tackling their problems
“I urge farmers, managers and workers to step up to this challenge and drive down the toll of death, injury and ill health on Britain’s farms. Please don’t step back and accept this as the norm for your industry.”
To read the report in full, click here.
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