NFU Vice President and Farm Safety Partnership Chair Guy Smith said: “Accidents involving vehicles are the most common cause of fatal injury in agriculture and in February were the cause of the majority of recorded farm deaths.
“We urge our members to take some time to make safety a priority. It just might save you more time and money than you think - but more importantly keep you alive.
“Farmers can protect themselves by planning to keep people separate from tractors and other farm vehicles whenever possible. Following the Safe Stop procedure of hand brake on, controls in neutral, engine off and keys out is vital when working on machinery.
“Check, check and check again that vehicles are properly maintained. Something as simple as topping up brake fluid or repairing a load indicator light could mean the difference between life and death.
“As many farms are multi-purpose homes, businesses and leisure destinations, keeping a farm as safe as possible will safeguard everyone’s wellbeing.”
February’s fatalities included a farmer killed when unloading cattle from his vehicle, a man run over by a telehandler; a worker who died when he came into contact with his chainsaw during tree work, a farmer who was crushed underneath a mini-tractor and trailer that overturned on steep ground, a worker killed by a falling straw bale, a man killed when the farm vehicle he was repairing fell onto him and a child who was hit by a farm vehicle.