Two men die in farm accidents in Scotland

Health and Safety Executive investigations are under way after two men were killed in separate incidents on farms in Scotland.

In the first incident, a 58-year-old man, named locally as Hector Macleod, died after working with cattle on the Isle of Berneray.

A well-respected crofter among the local community, Mr Macleod was found dead among his cattle last Tuesday (24 April).

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It is believed he was attacked by a bull, which was later put down.

The second incident saw the emergency services called to Peattie Farm, near Coupar, Angus, on Sunday 30 April.

Graham Shaw, 54, is believed to have been handling bags of fertiliser when he was trapped between a forklift and a wall.

The accidents happened amid calls by the union Unite for urgent government action to improve safety in agriculture – the UK’s most dangerous industry.

The call was made to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day on Saturday 28 April.

There were 27 deaths in agriculture last year – equivalent to one in five workplace fatalities in the UK – despite the industry employing just 1% of the country’s workforce.

Joe Clarke, Unite’s acting national officer for agriculture, said: “Deaths and injuries should not be considered as an occupational hazard of the farming industry.”