Over 150 people attended a Farm Safety event hosted by Skipton Auction Mart on Tuesday 30 June. The event covered an array of topics including lone working, livestock handling, first aid, mental health and wellbeing. The workshop focused on younger farmers and contractors with discussions and practical demonstrations to help prevent workplace accidents and fatalities.
The event was led by the NFU, NFU Mutual Skipton, Yorkshire Farmer Network, Yorkshire Agricultural Society, Craven Farm Vets and Carrs Billington. Rural charities the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI), and the Farm Community Network (FCN) attended alongside healthcare professionals offering blood pressure checks.
In Cumbria, more than 90 farmers and farm workers attended the county’s Health and Safety summer social at NFU member Adam Handley’s farm in Heversham, near Milnthorpe on Tuesday 21 July. Attendees took part in a “Spot the Risk” farm walk, followed by a discussion about how risks could be managed on farm and sharing different practical tips on staying safe on the farm.
The event was organised by NFU Cumbria with the support of the NFU Kendal office. Attendees heard from Cumbria Farming Community Network, Cumbria Police Rural Crime Team and Scottish Power Electricity North West Powerlines team, alongside NFU Farm Safety and Transport Adviser Sarah Stephens. NFU Vice-president Robyn Munt also attended the event.
On Wednesday 22 July, more than 100 Lancashire farmers and farm workers attended the NFU Lancashire’s Health and Safety BBQ and social at Ollerton Fold Farm, Withnell, nearly Chorley. Farmers were invited to take part in a series of practical sessions to stay safe and take lessons back to their farm businesses. Dewhurst Agricultural provided JCB machinery for the demonstrations, helping to bring important safety messages to life.
The event was supported by Spring North and delivered in partnership with Oakhill Vets, Electricity North West, the Farming Community Network, Lancashire Field Nurses and NFU Mutual Risk Management Services.
The events were held as part of Farm Safety Week (20-24 July 2026) organised by the Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies).
An important opportunity
Lancashire County Chair Becki Fielding, who hosted the Chorley event, said: "Farm Safety Week is an important opportunity to get farmers together to talk openly about the risks we face every day and, most importantly, what we can do to prevent accidents from happening.
"We wanted the evening to be engaging and practical, giving people information they can take home and put into practice straight away. If even one conversation or demonstration helps prevent an accident, then the event has been worthwhile."
