HSE Press Release E124:02 - 2 July 2002

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HSE reports reduction in agricultural deaths

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Forty-one people died in agricultural accidents during the last year - the joint lowest figure since records began - according to a report released today by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) at the Royal Show, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire.

Commenting on the figures, Linda Williams, HM Chief Inspector of Agriculture, said:

"While 41 deaths is a welcome reduction from the previous year's figure of 53, it is little consolation for the victims or their families as all of the deaths could have been avoided. The industry must work hard to continue this downward trend in future years by adopting a positive safety culture. Too often a lack of awareness of the hazards and a disregard of the risks involved result in deaths on the farm."

Thirty-nine of the deaths involved people at work - a reduction of seven from the previous year's figure (46). Of those 39 workers, 20 were employees and 19 were self-employed. The remaining two deaths were to members of the public - the lowest figure since records began.

Included in the total of 41 deaths were two children - one was a two-year-old run over by a telescopic handler, and the other was a 14-year-old on a work placement scheme who was killed when the all-terrain vehicle (ATV) he was driving overturned.

In contrast, 10 of the 39 workers who were killed were over normal retirement age, the eldest of which was 83. Mrs Williams said:

"In part, this reflects the age structure of the industry, but it also suggests that the older, more experienced, farm worker is more at risk than his younger counterpart. Even relatively minor accidents can become life-threatening at that age and I urge anybody working beyond the normal retirement age to remember that they are not as agile and resilient as they once were."

Mrs Williams continued:

"I hope the reduction in the number of deaths is because the industry has responded positively towards the Government's "Revitalising Health and Safety" programme rather than a blip due to any decrease in farming activity caused by foot and mouth disease. People working in the industry must recognise that such terrible accidents can all too readily involve them and that they must not become complacent towards the safety of themselves or their employees."

The report's statistics showed:

• Over a third of the fatalities involved transport (15 deaths). Eight of these were either run over or struck by a moving vehicle, and the other seven were vehicle overturns.
• Eight people were killed after being struck by a moving/falling/flying object, including falling trees or branches, and two who were struck by barn doors/gates in high winds.
• Six people were killed when they came into contact with moving machinery, including two people entangled on unguarded power take-off (PTO) shafts and two who were performing maintenance on a machine which was still operating.
• Falls accounted for five deaths - a reduction of seven from the previous year. Two of these were through farm roofs and two were from ladders.
• Cattle-related fatalities accounted for four deaths, three of which were from bulls.

Notes to editors

1. Details of all the fatalities in the agricultural sector in Great Britain are in "Fatal injuries in farming, forestry and horticulture 2001/2002". Copies of the report are available from HSE, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2LZ, tel: 02476 696518 (or from the information section of the HSE's agriculture webpage www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture).

PUBLIC ENQUIRIES:

Call HSE's InfoLine, tel: 0845 345 0055
or write to: HSE Information Services, Caerphilly Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG.

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Published on the HSE web site on 3 July 2002

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