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HSE (Health and Safety Executive) have released the statistics for fatal injuries for 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.
In this time period, 29 people were fatally injured as a result of working in agriculture. This is an increase of 6 from the previous year.
Breaking down the figures
Of the 29 deaths:
- 3 were children under the age 16,
- 3 were members of the public,
- 5 were employed persons, and
- 18 were self-employed persons.
Fatalities occurred across the UK:
- 10 were in the South region,
- 6 were in the Midlands region,
- 4 were in the East region, and
- the North, Wales and Scotland each had 3.
The statistics for the East, Midlands and South were above the five-year average.
Causes of death
“These statistics are a startling reminder that the culture of safety needs to change.”
NFU Farm Safety Adviser Sarah Stephens
Of the 22 that worked on farm:
- 6 were linked to machinery,
- 5 to transport,
- 4 were a result of being struck by a falling or collapsing object,
- 3 related to working at height,
- 2 related to interactions with livestock, and
- 2 to asphyxiation/drowning.
Of those involving children, 2 were involving transport, and 1 was as a result of being struck by a falling or collapsing object.
Of those involving members of the public, 1 was as a result of being struck by a falling or collapsing object; 1 was as a result of interactions with livestock; 1 was involving transport; and 1 was as a result of falling from height.
Age groups
The ages of those involved:
- Under 16s accounted for 3 fatalities,
- 1 fatality occurred in the 16-24-year-old age group,
- 2 fatalities each were in the 25-34-, 35-44-, and 45-54-year-old age groups,
- 7 were in the 55-64-year-old age group, and
- 12 were in the 65 and over age group.
Of these, the figures for the under 16s, 35-44 year olds, 55-64 year olds and over 65s were above the five-year averages.
‘Startling reminder’
These statistics are a startling reminder that the culture of safety needs to change.
Increases in these statistics is concerning for the efficiency and resilience of the farming sector, as they put more pressure on an already fraught industry.
Many of these fatalities are highly preventable and often involve an inexpensive solution.
The sad truth is that many farmers never think about the consequences until the worst has happened. This should not be the norm.
Safety needs to be the first priority on every farm, and there should never be an excuse to not keep anyone on farm, including yourself, safe.
Every accident changes a life
These figures do not account for people involved in farm accidents who sustain injuries – serious injuries on farms alter the course of thousands of lives every year.
This Farm Safety Week, Yellow Wellies are focusing not only on the fatalities but on the long-term repercussions caused by life-changing injuries.
One moment can change a life – taking the time to prepare for those moments by following safety practices and getting into good habits might help prevent them.
Head to the farm safety hot topic for all the latest news and advice: Farm safety | NFUonline
