As the UK experiences its third official heatwave of the year, the Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies) has warned the current heatwave could increase the risk of serious and fatal incidents in an industry that already has the poorest safety record of any occupation in the UK.
Farm workers receive around five to ten times more annual sun exposure than people who work indoors.
Working in agriculture is also one of the highest-risk occupations for deaths linked to sun exposure.
While construction workers record the highest number of fatalities, agriculture is second and accounts for 23% of these deaths - around one farm worker every month dies from skin cancer due to sun exposure.
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During periods of extreme heat, the risks extend beyond sunburn. Dehydration, heat stress, fatigue and poor concentration can all increase the likelihood of mistakes around vehicles, livestock, machinery and working at height.
These are the same hazards that already dominate the sector's serious and fatal injury record.
The Farm Safety Foundation is urging those working outdoors this week to take simple but potentially life-saving steps:
- Keep a top on when working.
- Wear a hat with a brim or flap to protect the ears and back of the neck.
- Stay in the shade whenever possible, especially during breaks and at lunchtime.
- Use high-factor sunscreen of at least SPF30 on exposed skin.
- Drink plenty of water - little and often and avoid alcohol.
- Take sufficient breaks and watch for signs of fatigue, stress and poor mental health.
- Check skin regularly for unusual moles or spots and speak to a doctor about anything changing in shape, size or colour or anything itching or bleeding.
- Keep machinery clean and well-maintained during harvest.
- Be alert to dust build-up, overheating parts and fire risks.
- Make sure fire extinguishers are accessible and in working order.
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