Agriculture remains Britain’s most dangerous industry

Figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) confirm that agriculture, forestry and fishing continues to be the most hazardous sector for workers in Great Britain.

Between April 2024 and March 2025 there were 124 fatalities in work-related incidents – a slight decrease of 14 from the previous year, according to HSE’s annual fatality statistics.

Despite representing just 1% of the workforce, agriculture accounts for 18.5% of all work-related deaths, with farm workers 20 times more likely to be fatally injured than the average across other industries.

See also: Farmers Weekly launches kids’ farm safety campaign

While construction recorded the highest total deaths at 35, the agriculture sector recorded 23 fatalities – one less than the previous year’s total. Falls from height were the most common cause of death, followed by incidents involving moving machinery.

Agriculture has a fatal injury rate of 8.01 deaths per 100,000 workers – by far the highest of any industry and significantly above the all-industry average. Statistically, it remains the most dangerous profession in Britain.

Hard work ‘paying off’

However, Stephanie Berkeley, manager of the Farm Safety Partnership (aka Yellow Wellies), said safety campaigns, training and a stronger culture of care were beginning to make a difference.

“The annual Farm Safety Week was launched in 2013 and the average number of fatalities over the last 13 years is 31, so there are encouraging signs that the efforts put in by everybody are paying off,” said Ms Berkeley.

But she added: “One worker fatality is one too many, and we owe it to those 23 people who lost their lives on farms over the past year – and those who are starting out their journey in farming – to do something about it.”

Ms Berkeley also noted that five people were killed in farming accidents in Northern Ireland between April 2024 and March 2025.

The HSE is urging farm employers and workers to remain vigilant and make use of its free safety guidance.

This year’s Farm Safety Week, organised by Yellow Wellies, will take place from 21 to 25 July.