Farming unions unite to tackle ATV safety during Farm Safety Week

First published21 July 2025

Farm safety demonstration pic

Photograph: NFUS President Andrew Connon, NFU Cymru Deputy President Abi Reader, UFU Deputy President John McLenaghan and NFU Deputy President David Exwood

The NFU, NFU Cymru, NFU Scotland and Ulster Farmers’ Union are joining forces with the Welsh Farm Safety Partnership to raise urgent awareness about the dangers of ATV accidents on farms during this year’s Farm Safety Week.

The agriculture industry is working hard to change attitudes towards farm safety and prevent life-changing and fatal accidents.

The NFU is one of the key supporters of Farm Safety Week, which runs from 21 – 25 July and is managed and funded by the Farm Safety Foundation (otherwise known as Yellow Wellies).

Share the message

“Every year we see lives shattered by preventable ATV accidents, and it’s time for that to change.”

NFU Deputy President David Exwood

ATVs are vital tools on many farms, but every year preventable accidents involving these vehicles cause serious injuries and fatalities.

According to the HSE, there were 21 ATV-related fatalities in agriculture, forestry and fishing between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2025, with the vast majority of those in agriculture.

With almost 600 farm-related incidents reported in the last year alone, the farming unions are urging everyone in agriculture to prioritise safety and reduce the risks that come with their everyday use.

To help farmers keep safe, the unions are urging farmers to remember these measures:

Always wear a helmet

Training 

Vehicle and maintenance checks

Single rider only

Spread the message on social media using the below graphics and the hashtag #RideSmartFarmSafe.

Time for change

Speaking in unison, the UK farming unions said: “Every year we see lives shattered by preventable ATV accidents, and it’s time for that to change. That’s why we are coming together to send a clear message – safety must always come first.

“No one plans to have an accident and you never know when one might happen. Whether you’re checking livestock or moving around the farm, the risks are real every time you get on an ATV. It’s vital to take life-saving steps like wearing a helmet, completing proper training, being competent and confident in handling the vehicle and carrying out routine safety checks and maintenance.

“Safety must be our first thought and not the last. We all have a responsibility to protect ourselves, our families and our teams to make smart choices on farm. Let’s lead by example, speak up when something’s not right and make sure everyone gets home safe.

“Remember, you matter.”

Take 5 | Stay Alive

It doesn't matter what aspect of farm safety or your own wellbeing it is, the idea of taking 5 minutes before each task, allows you time to evaluate the task at hand and implement ways to make the task safer.

Use the idea of 'taking 5 to stay alive' to promote regular breaks at a time of year when exhaustion will be high. 

Use the link below to make your farm safety pledge on one thing you would commit to doing to improve safety on your farm.

Make your pledge

Getting people talking

This year's Farm Safety Week marks 13 years of the campaign by the Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies), a charity set up by leading rural insurer NFU Mutual to raise awareness of, and challenge attitudes to farm safety and poor mental health in the industry.

The first Farm Safety Week set out to raise awareness of the importance of safety in agriculture and trigger the discussion around changing the safety culture in farming and, today, this conversation is still as important as ever. Change can only be achieved if every person involved in farming puts safety at the forefront of everything they do.

The annual focus has grown and now involves more than 400 partners in five countries – England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The event raises awareness of the impacts of farm accidents on the industry and community and promotes the importance of farming safely.

For more information, visit yellowwellies.org or follow @yellowwelliesUK on Twitter/Facebook/Instagram using the hashtag #FarmSafetyWeek.


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