Six farm deaths in six weeks raise alarm over safety
© Adobe Stock Farm safety campaigners have renewed calls for greater awareness of workplace risks after two more fatal incidents involving agricultural workers were reported by the Health and Safety Executive.
Jill Hewitt, chief executive of the National Association of Agricultural Contractors, said the latest deaths meant six people working in agriculture had lost their lives since 1 April.
In one incident, a farmworker suffered fatal injuries while attempting to repair a cattle gate in Shropshire on 5 May. Initial findings suggest the worker was “struck by a falling gate”.
See also: Long hours and stress fuel farm safety crisis, survey shows
In a separate incident, another agricultural worker was killed in South Devon on 30 April after a raised trailer he had been working beneath collapsed, causing fatal crushing injuries.
Ms Hewitt said the recent run of deaths had left the industry shocked.
“We have sadly lost a member of the farming community every week for the last couple of months,” she said.
“This is horrific, shocking and becoming far too common.”
Referring to the recent spate of farm fatalities, Ms Hewitt added: “We mustn’t speculate as it doesn’t help and these are recent tragedies.
“I really don’t know what else to say, except to send condolences to all those involved.”
She urged farmers and contractors to think carefully about workplace risks, particularly during repairs and maintenance work.
“People have to be taking this safety more seriously and take steps to make the workplace a lot safer,” Ms Hewitt said.
“This is a real risk on everybody’s farmyard now. We need everyone to sit up and recognise this.
“Before you do operation on a farm, do a mental risk assessment. Ask yourself: is this task going to be dangerous? We need to make sure everyone knows and understands the risks.”
Families facing heartbreak
Stephanie Berkeley, manager of the Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies), said: “There is something deeply saddening about seeing these tragedies continue to happen across the industry.
“Despite the training, awareness and experience that exist within farming, too many families are still facing the heartbreak of losing someone they love.”
She warned that familiarity with tasks can lead even experienced workers to overlook dangers.
“It’s not enough to know the risks; we must act as though they apply to every one of us, every single day,” she said.
“Farming asks a great deal of people, but no job is worth a life.”
Think ‘what if’, not ‘if only’
Clive Johnson, head of health and safety for the Duchy of Lancaster estate, said: “Accidents or ill health in the agriculture sector should not be accepted as a consequence of people’s work. We shouldn’t accept this, but unfortunately many people do.
“The way I have worked with contractors is making farm safety personal and relevant, such as how it impacts on their choices and actions.
“It’s all about looming and scenarios and thinking: what could go wrong? Think ‘what if’, not ‘if only’.”
Agriculture continues to have the UK’s highest rate of workplace fatalities, with machinery, vehicles, livestock and crushing incidents among the main causes.
The figures for the 2025-26 financial year (ending 1 April, 2026) show that 33 people died in farming-related incidents in Great Britain.
Silage safety: plan ahead to prevent tragedy
Farmers are being urged to prioritise safety as silage season gets under way, amid continuing concerns over serious and fatal farm accidents involving machinery and vehicles.
NFU Mutual and the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) have both warned that silage-making combines long hours, powerful machinery, tight weather windows and challenging ground conditions – increasing the risk of incidents if work is rushed.
Experts say machinery should be thoroughly serviced before use, particularly forage harvesters, trailers, mowers and balers which may not have been used for months.
Brakes, tyres, lights, PTO shafts and guards should all be checked before work begins.
Farmers are also advised to walk fields before cutting to identify wet patches, slippery slopes, hidden obstacles and overhead powerlines.
Staff and contractors should be briefed on farm and road hazards, while the “Safe Stop” procedure – applying the handbrake, stopping the engine and removing the key before maintenance or clearing blockages – remains essential.
Extra care is needed on silage clamps, where overturns, falls and dangerous gases can pose serious risks. The Farm Safety Partnership has released advice on this area.
Children and visitors should always be kept away from working areas and moving machinery.