Personal Injury Blog: Agriculture Safety Awareness - the Dangers of Working on a Farm

The important role played by British farmers in society is often under estimated. Farm and agriculture workers play a vital role in maintaining the countryside, providing employment and providing food for the population. By its nature the work can often be dangerous and fraught with risks.  Workers in this sector are confronted with one of the highest rates of death and serious injury of any industry in the country. 

Accidents and Injuries Amongst Farm Workers

According to statistics from the HSE, farm workers have one of the worst fatal accident and occupational ill-health records of any major employment sector. The statistics are actually quite staggering. For instance, a man working in agriculture is two and a half times more likely to die going about his job than he is in a car accident.

It is also apparent that the number of deaths and injuries have remained steady in the agriculture secotor over recent years, yet in most other industries they have been decreasing. There are many reasons why farms have been unable to follow the general trend of workplaces becoming safer: more farmers are having to work alone, farmers are using more powerful machinery, having to work longer hours, are working more frequently in the dark and the work force is aging.

Unfortunately, despite best efforts of all involved, on average, between 40 and 50 workers a year do not make it home to their families. 

Improving Agriculture Safety

The Health and Safety Executive are working with the industry and educating workers so they can make their promise to come home safe:

“Make your promise today. Do it for yourself, your family and your farm. Together let’s make sure everyone comes home safe.”

There are many simple steps that can be taken to improve Agriculture safety, you could start by downloading the free Resources from the Health and Safety Executive:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/makethepromise/index.htm

Compensation After an Injury or Accident on a Farm

Farms are dangerous places to work and its vital that safety precautions are followed and that workers are given the protection and safety they need in order to work without the risk of being injured - thats why we are supporting the HSE's 'come home safe' campaign. Should the worst happen and you be involved in an accident at a farm, at Colemans-ctts we have a team of Solicitors who are specialists in dealing with accidents at work. Call free on 0808 155 9070 and speak to a memeber of our personal injury team too find out how you can make a no win no fee claim for compensation after being injured while working on a farm. Or claim online now and one of our personal injury solicitors will call you back.