HSE publishes research on farming and stress

E092:05 18 July 2005

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published the results of a study on stress and its effects on farmers and farm workers.

The research was undertaken for HSE by the Policy Studies Institute (PSI) and involved 60 in-depth interviews with farmers, their partners, farm workers and employees, as well as professionals and volunteers working in support roles in farming communities. The interviews took place in five geographic locations: Devon, Hampshire, Lancashire, Lincolnshire and Powys.

Using case studies, the report shows the wide range of pressures faced by farmers, their families, and farm workers. Some of those interviewed felt that they were coping well with the problems they faced in the industry, but others claimed they had suffered mental and physical ill-health as a result of stress.

Feelings of stress arose from factors over which farmers felt they had little or no control, such as falling market prices, European and Government regulation, the weather and the farming way of life. The decline in farm incomes and reduction in labour has intensified the pressure on those who remain in the industry, and long hours and isolation were highlighted as significant issues for many farmers. Shifting goalposts, with frequent changes to rules and regulations, increased paperwork and inflexible deadlines that take little account of the unpredictability of farming were particular complaints.

The study identified a range of coping strategies and formal and informal sources of support used within the industry, and made recommendations as to how these may be developed and improved. The sources of support included local agricultural groups, the National Farmers Union, the Tenant Farmers Association, and trusted local vets and doctors. The research also revealed some reluctance to seek help with stress-related problems early enough and there appeared to be limited awareness of the support that is available.

Alastair Mitchell of HSE's Agriculture and Food Sector said: "This work has usefully identified many of the factors linked to stress in farming. We are already tackling these issues through innovative approaches to publicising our free advice and guidance for the industry. For example, we're promoting HSE's electronic self-assessment software package for farmers to help them reduce the paperwork burden and undertake simple farm risk assessments. The on-going programme of farm safety awareness days (SADs) will also help fulfil the requirement for free information and advice. We will also continue to work closely with support organisations and government departments to ensure effective interventions."

Jane Parry, the report's principal author, said: "There is a particular need to support those at increased risk of stress-related problems - smaller family farms, livestock farmers, those living in isolated areas, farmers working until late in life because of financial pressures, and those affected by crises such as foot and mouth disease."

The research report RR362 Farmers, Farm Workers and Work Related Stress can be found on HSE's website at www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/rr362.htm or purchased from HSE books (contact details below).

Notes to editors

1. HSE defines stress as "the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressure or other types of demand placed on them". Pressure is part and parcel of all work and helps to keep people motivated . However, excessive pressure can lead to stress which undermines performance, is costly to employers and can make people ill.
2. A self reported household survey carried out in 2003/04 estimated that 2.2 million people in Great Britain suffered from an illness in that year which they believed was caused or made worse by their current or past work. Stress, depression or anxiety was the second most commonly reported illness, affecting an estimated 557,000 people. It accounts for an estimated 12.8 million days lost in Great Britain a year.
3. HSE has therefore identified work related stress as a priority issue , and is currently working to encourage implementation of its management standards on work-related stress in five key sectors - health, education, central Government, local Government, and financial services - where the incidence and prevalence of stress is greatest. HSE also recognised that farmers and farm workers were likely to be occupations particularly at risk from stress and so commissioned research to identify the causes.
4. Employers have a duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of their employees at work (Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974) and to assess for health and safety risks (Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999). These duties cover work-related stress.
5. For more information on stress at work, including the stress management standards, visit the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk
6. Further information on the Policy Studies Institute is available at www.psi.org.uk/.
7. HSE's Research Reports are available on the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/

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