As the UK and Ireland’s annual Farm Safety Week campaign began on Monday of this week, July 17, the charity behind it has issued a challenge to everyone living and working in the industry to step up and take personal responsibility for farm safety.

The Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies) – the charity behind the annual Farm Safety Week campaign – believes that, despite the improvements in attitudes and behaviours in the industry, many of these deaths and injuries could be prevented.

With agricultural mortality rates remaining stubbornly high compared with other sectors in which fatal accident rates have generally decreased, the farming industry can’t keep ploughing on – something needs to change.

According to Stephanie Berkeley, Farm Safety Foundation manager: “The release of this year’s HSE figures serves as a sombre reminder of why Farm Safety Week matters and why we must all do more to address the poor safety record in the industry and make our farms safer places to work and to live."

In Northern Ireland, farming accounted for three of the eight (38 per cent) reported workplace fatalities in 2022/2023 (HSENI).

In the Republic, farming – which accounts for eight per cent of the workforce (according to the CSO’s Labour Force Survey) – has 40 per cent of all workplace fatal incidents, with 12 of the 20 reported in 2022/2023.

Stephanie continued: “The UK and Ireland recorded a total of 42 farm-related deaths over the past year. That's 42 families and communities devastated by the loss of a loved one.

“This is why Farm Safety Week matters. It is personal. Every year, hundreds of people, organisations and communities support the campaign.

"Farming unions, Young Farmers' Clubs, and many key agricultural businesses work with us throughout the week to share important safety reminders, remember those people who have been affected by death and injuries, and ultimately campaign for safer farms for everyone,” she added.