Farmers urged to think safety first

Agriculture remains the riskiest industry in which to work.

A risk management specialist is urging Scotland’s farmers not to relax safety standards after official figures revealed a drop in the number of fatalities in the British agricultural industry – with two deaths in Scotland.

Latest figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reveal that 25 people were killed in the agriculture sector in 2021/222 – 16 fewer than last year.

Alex Cormack, of Lycetts Risk Management Services, said: “This drop in fatalities is to be welcomed. But, while it is encouraging news, I would urge those who work in the industry not to become complacent.”

Fatal injuries were most commonly caused by people being struck by moving vehicles. This was followed by being struck by an object, contact with machinery, falls from height and animal-inflicted deaths.

Agriculture remains the riskiest industry to work in, with fatal injuries around 18 times higher than the ‘all industry rate’.

A 21-year-old farm worker in Scotland was killed when she fell into a barley drill.

In the other incident, a 21-year-old farm worker was killed when she was trapped under an ATV quad bike.

Mr Cormack added: “Some fatalities can be attributed to freak accidents, but others could be avoided by adopting a more rigorous approach to safety."