Rhiannon Wilson, CXCS Health and Safety Advisor, explains how making a difference when it comes to farm safety doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.
Reducing the injury and fatality rate in agriculture is a top priority for our industry, yet it remains one of the most challenging issues. Despite many efforts to improve safety, the incident rates remain persistently high, highlighting the urgent need for change.
Figures published by the Health and Safety Executive show that there were 23 agricultural deaths from 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024, a rise from 21 fatalities the previous year. Between April and September this year, a further 14 people have been killed in fatal incidents on UK farms, including 9 linked to moving machinery. Five of these fatalities involved all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), including two involving children.
Though ATV incidents are a leading cause of transport and machinery-related fatalities within agriculture, there are practical safety measures that can protect vehicle operators from harmful incidents.
- Use your head – always wear a helmet when riding an ATV
- SAFE STOP – Apply the handbrake, set controls to neutral, turn off the engine, and remove the keys.
- Plan ahead – Always plan your route and check ground stability
- One seat, one rider – Passengers are not allowed to travel on ATV’s used as light agricultural vehicles
- Ride responsibly – Always ride at a safe speed and know your limits
- Age matters – No one under the age of 16 should use an ATV
If you are an employer providing an ATV to your employees, you have a statutory duty under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) regulations to ensure that ‘adequate training’ has been undertaken. Further guidance from the Health and Safety Executive can be found at https://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/topics/machinery/farm-vehicles-3.htm and https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ais33.pdf
Safety needs to be at the top of everyone’s agenda and there are simple, cost-effective changes we can all make to protect ourselves and our loved ones. Actions we can all take in our daily farming activities include segregating vehicles and people, using the ‘Safe Stop’ procedure when leaving the cab, regularly inspecting and maintaining vehicles and machinery, working safely at height, and never underestimating the risk from cattle.
At CXCS we are committed to maintaining safe workplaces, but we also recognise the challenges and financial restrictions that farmers in today’s economic climate face. As a result, we give practical, easy-to-implement advice which can help to make a real difference on the ground. By making safety a priority, you can make your farm a safer place to work, leaving you secure in the knowledge that you, your family and your farming business are protected.
For advice on how to make your farm a safer place, please contact our Health and Safety team on 01981 590514.
