Still seeing too farming injuries and deaths
Figures from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) show farming is one of the most dangerous professions in the UK. Lee Hart, one of Clarke Willmott’s leading personal injury solicitors, says more needs to be done to keep the industry safe.
These figures show that 27 people lost their lives on farms in 2023/2024, including two children, and that while agriculture only accounts for 1% of the working population, 20% of all workplace deaths are in this sector.
Farming accidents and fatal injuries disproportionately high
Lee says that despite increased awareness of health and safety measures, the number of life-changing farming injuries and deaths remain too high, and the HSE’s decision to halt farm safety inspections is concerning.
“Farming is undoubtedly a dangerous profession and of course, accidents are going to happen.
“But that aside, incidents are happening too frequently. For more than a decade, the Farm Safety Foundation, also known as Yellow Wellies, has been running its Farm Safety Week campaign to ensure farms are a safer place to live and to work on. These initiatives are incredibly important to reduce accidents at work across the agriculture industry, but more needs to be done.
“It is concerning that the HSE has decided to put a stop to farm safety inspections, a decision which is likely to increase risks to the health and safety of workers in the farming sector. Whilst they will continue to investigate serious accidents or fatal injuries, the halting of safety inspections, training and events could lead to an increase in serious injuries and lost lives.
“We need the HSE to work collaboratively with farmers to improve standards and prevent accidents occurring.”
Farming accident compensation claims also rising
Further data from insurer NFU Mutual shows there were 937 farming accident claims in 2023/24 totalling more than £68m. Claims included those related to falls from height, trapped body parts and falling objects.
Lee continued: “Major agricultural insurers, such as NFU Mutual, will increasingly be relied upon to fill the gap left by the HSE halting investigations.”
Clarke Willmott’s specialist solicitors act for severely injured agricultural workers and their families to help secure the best treatment, care, rehabilitation and compensation.
Farming injury claims – who we’ve helped
- Recovered damages of £3.5 million for a self-employed farm labourer who suffered a severe crushing lower limb injury, ultimately leading to amputation, when clearing a hay baler
- Recovered £500,000 for a warehouse worker who suffered crush injuries to his lower leg after a load toppled from a forklift truck and landed on him
- A herdsman who suffered a spinal cord injury after being knocked down and crushed by a bull when moving cows
- A young labourer who suffered severe burns to his face and hands when a gas heater in a pheasant rearing shed exploded
- A man who fell from height and suffered a traumatic head injury and spinal cord injury as a result of an unsafe system of work, when helping a farmer construct a barn
- A beater who was shot in the eye causing severe visual impairment at a poorly organised shoot
Contact a solicitor today
If you’ve suffered a serious injury in a farming accident or someone has died from their injuries, please call us on 0800 316 8892 / 0800 652 8025 or contact us online for legal advice on making a claim. Your first consultation is free and there’s no pressure to take things further.
