RR423 - Exploring the influences of farming women and families on worker health and safety

This report describes a study into the influences of farming women and families on worker health and safety. A literature review was conducted to profile women in agriculture. The processes by which women influence health and safety, why they do so and what effect they have were considered in developing a comprehensive question set for use in this study. A sample of 200 women participated.

The study found that women in agriculture are an influential stakeholder group and the sources of influence and communication routes emerged from the results. The most significant sources of influence on women's attitudes to health and safety included past experience, the farming press and their partner. Women interacted most closely with their husbands on the farm. A corroboration activity traced the path of influence and a chain of influence is presented.

The recommendations suggest how HSE could mobilise the influence of women in agriculture to make a positive difference to health and safety on farms.

This report and the work it describes were funded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Its contents, including any opinions and/or conclusions expressed, are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect HSE policy.

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Updated 2021-04-20