New safety drive highlights risks facing older farmers

A new farm safety campaign has been launched to reduce work-related deaths and serious injuries among older farmers, following statistics showing higher fatality rates and longer recovery times.

The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI), the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) and the Farm Safety Partnership have unveiled the “Farm Wiser to Farm Longer” campaign, which will run across TV, radio, outdoor advertising and digital platforms.

The campaign highlights that while experience and knowledge increase with age, so too do risks linked to changes in balance, strength and reaction times.

See also: Tractor death takes farming fatalities to 22 since April

It focuses on three high-risk areas: farm vehicles and machinery, working with livestock, and working at height.

Agriculture minister Andrew Muir said: “Our farming community is built on years of experience, commitment and hard work.

“However, the statistics clearly show that older farmers are more likely to be killed or injured.

“And those who are injured take longer to recover – in fact, some may never farm again.”

He added: “This campaign is not about asking farmers to stop doing what they love.

“It’s about supporting them to make changes to protect their health and wellbeing as well as supporting the family farm.”

Routine tasks

HSENI deputy chief executive Bryan Monson said serious accidents often occur during routine tasks.

“Sadly, from 2014 to 2024, some 40 older farmers have died.

“And many more have been seriously injured in farm-related accidents – many of them preventable,” he said.

There have been 22 farm fatalities in the UK since April 2025.

The campaign encourages farmers to pause before high-risk work and consider whether tasks can be adapted.

It also promotes practical steps such as maintaining vehicles, using appropriate handling facilities for livestock, avoiding ladders where possible, and planning work at height carefully.

Stephanie Berkeley, manager of the Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies), said: “As a member of the Farm Safety Partnership, the Farm Safety Foundation is proud to support this campaign and the positive, respectful way it speaks to older farmers.

“With experience comes invaluable knowledge, but also increased risk.

“By starting these conversations, we can help ensure that those who have given so much to our industry can continue to work safely and confidently for many years to come.”