Transport and Animals are the Biggest Killers in Agriculture

Incidents involving moving vehicles and cattle are the biggest causes of death on Britain’s farms, according to the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) latest fatality statistics.

Thirty three workers and four members of the public were killed on Britain’s farms during 2014/15, with around half (16) being struck or run over by farm equipment, or crushed or trampled by cattle.

The figures also show that:

• the use of machinery and falls from height accounted for seven deaths during 2014/15,
• falling or moving objects accounted for six people losing their lives, and
• drowning or asphyxiation involving grain silos and slurry tanks resulted in six fatalities.

Although there were no child deaths on farms during 2014/15, in a typical year 1-2 children lose their lives on Britain’s farms and child safety continues to be a concern for the industry.

“Deaths in farming have remained stubbornly high over the past few years and agriculture continues to have the poorest record of managing risk of any industry in Britain,” commented HSE’s Head of Agriculture, Rick Brunt.

“The death rate on Britain’s farms is over five times that of the construction industry, and 20 times higher than the all industries average,” he added. “The industry should recognise that these deaths are avoidable, and should not accept them as an inevitable consequence of farming.”  

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