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Agricultural industry

Farming Remains the Deadliest Profession in Britain, Statistics Reveal

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Farming remains one of the most perilous occupations in the UK, with stark new figures revealing 23 farm workers lost their lives on farms in Great Britain in 2024/25. The annual Farm Safety Week, run by the UK charity The Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies), highlights the sector's persistently poor safety record. Despite accounting for only one per cent of the working population, farming accounted for nearly 20 per cent of all workplace deaths, making it the occupation with the poorest safety record in the UK.

Key Takeaways:

  • In 2024/25, 23 farm workers lost their lives on farms in Great Britain, with nearly half (48 per cent) of the workers being over the age of 65.
  • Farming accounts for nearly 20 per cent of all workplace deaths, making it the occupation with the poorest safety record in the UK.
  • The main cause of fatality in the industry in 2024/25 was being killed by moving or overturning vehicles.
  • The number of long-term ill health and serious injuries fell to 18,000, while the number of farm accident claims in the UK dropped from 937 in 2023/24 to 894 in 2024/25.
  • Research by The Farm Safety Foundation found that 81 per cent of farmers in the UK believe that 'complacency' is a major contributor to farm accidents, while 82 per cent cite 'attitude' as the major contributor.
  • Stephanie Berkeley, Farm Safety Foundation manager, emphasizes that reducing serious and fatal injuries is only part of the challenge, and addressing an underlying culture of risk-taking and complacency is crucial.

Statistics:

  • 23 farm workers lost their lives on farms in Great Britain in 2024/25.
  • Nearly half (48 per cent) of the workers killing were over the age of 65.
  • Farming accounts for nearly 20 per cent of all workplace deaths in the UK.
  • The main cause of fatality in the industry in 2024/25 was being killed by moving or overturning vehicles.
  • 18,000 long-term ill health and serious injuries occurred in the industry in 2024/25.
  • The number of farm accident claims in the UK dropped from 937 in 2023/24 to 894 in 2024/25.

Sources:

  • https://www.kingsbridge-today.co.uk/news/aldis-summer-support-scheme-to-help-families-feeling-the-pinch-during-school-holidays-814336
  • https://www.kingsbridge-today.co.uk/news/new-figures-suggest-major-failing-to-deliver-affordable-housing-in-south-hams-813659
  • https://www.kingsbridge-today.co.uk/news/your-kitchen-tea-towel-could-be-spreading-e-coli-hygiene-expert-warns-813548
  • https://www.kingsbridge-today.co.uk/news/discover-food-fun-and-friendship-at-mandate-809922

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