The UK's Premier Agricultural Machinery and Technology Show

20–21 January 2027, NEC, Birmingham

Event Details

Farming continues to have the highest rate of worker fatalities per capita

Safety must be the first thing farmers think about, not the last if the industry wants to stop people dying on farms

Mia Willemsen
News and business reporter
clock • 2 min read
Farming continues to have the highest rate of worker fatalities per capita
That was the message from NFU deputy president David Exwood as the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) published its latest annual fatality statistics, covering the period from April 2024 to March 2025. 

The industries with the highest number of deaths were construction with 35 and agriculture, forestry and fishing with 23. 

HSE chief executive Sarah Albon said: "Great Britain is one of the safest places in the world to work, but we must remember each of these deaths represents a tragedy for families, friends and communities. 

"Despite the stability in numbers, we cannot accept that fatal accidents are an inevitable part of working life. We are encouraged by the long-term trend but urge against complacency on workplace safety." 

READ MORE: On-farm Somerset restaurant serves home-produced Hereford beef

 

Agricultural deaths are down from 27 the previous year (2023-2024) but still higher than the year before that (2022-2023) which was 22.  

David Exwood, deputy president at NFU said: "These figures are an improvement on last year but you are still far more likely to die as farmer than any other job.  

"A culture change has started but if we want the numbers to keep reducing, we all have much more to do and we cannot leave it to others to worry about." 

Most farm deaths tend to happen during the summer months, during the harvest season. It is mainly due to farmers having to work continuous hours causing stress and tiredness.  

READ MORE: Using genomics to generate progress in dairy herds

These figures are not just numbers. They are fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, families shattered, businesses broken, communities grieving says Stephanie Berkeley, manager at Farm Safety Foundation. 

"This month marks our 13th annual Farm Safety Week. Thirteen years of stories. Thirteen years of heartbreak. Thirteen years of lives changed forever. So, we must ask, why is farming still ‘unlucky for some'?" she said.  

"Change does not come overnight. But it begins with one decision, one action, one conversation. We owe it to those we have lost. We owe it to those living with the consequences. And we owe it to the next generation of farmers across the UK. Because every life lost is one too many."

More on Farm Safety

Top tips farmers must know to prevent serious health problems

Top tips farmers must know to prevent serious health problems

Luke Stark, HSQE consultant and owner and director of EOS HSQE Consultancy, shares his advice for preventing farm fires from causing devastating loses

Luke Stark
clock 11 October 2026 • 6 min read
Lifesaving emergency training available for farmers in Wales

Lifesaving emergency training available for farmers in Wales

Welsh farmers are being urged not to wait until accidents happen as farm-tailored workshops rollout across the country

Mia Willemsen
clock 10 October 2026 • 2 min read
Primary school children learn about eye protection on farm in new book

Primary school children learn about eye protection on farm in new book

Wales Farm Safety Partnership and RNIB team up to highlight eye safety for young people across Wales

Alex Black
clock 27 September 2026 • 2 min read