Farming injury figures show sharp rise
The number of people killed or seriously injured on British farms has risen sharply, according to the Health and Safety Executive.
HSE figures show that between April 2009 and March 2010, the number of major injuries, such as broken bones or amputations, rose to 640, up from 599 the previous year.
The number of major injuries has now increased by more than 40% in the past three years, the HSE has said.
In June it was announced that 38 people died while working on farms last year – up from 25 in the previous 12 months and above the average of 37 for the previous five years.
With a rate of fatal injuries to workers in 2009/10 of eight per 100,000, agriculture remains Britain’s most dangerous industry, the HSE said.
Although only around 1.5% of the working population is employed in agriculture, it accounted for one in four work-related deaths last year.
Sandy Blair, the executive’s board champion for agriculture, said:
“These figures show the reality of what we are dealing with – deaths have returned to previous levels and serious injuries are still steadily increasing.
“This isn’t about statistics – it is about the farming community itself being able to take action to prevent these serious, life-changing or life-ending injuries. If we’re going to see sustainable change, it needs to be led from within farming itself,” Mr Blair said.
“More worrying is the estimate that only around 30% of agricultural injuries are reported.
“Each death or injury leaves a trail of misery and suffering for individuals and farming families. It’s more important than ever that we work together to get this right,” he said.
NFU president, Peter Kendall added that the HSE statistics made sobering reading.
“These figures must strengthen the industry’s determination to reverse this tragic record.
“All too frequently someone dies or is seriously injured in a farm accident. These accidents destroy lives and have a devastating impact on the families and businesses.”
“As a farmer I know our workplace can be unpredictable, so working safely can be a big challenge. But we know better than any regulator the solutions to staying safe on farm. The NFU is determined to play its part in trying to reduce farm fatalities, dispel the myths and change traditional attitudes.
“That is why the NFU hosted the Farm Safety Summit in September with HSE and why I was so encouraged by the positive and constructive discussion across our industry.”