RR704-Patterns of non-fatal accidents in agriculture and the food supply chain

This study provides a detailed insight into the pattern of non-fatal accidents across agriculture and the food supply chain in order to identify high risk areas where concerted action may help to achieve Revitalising targets.

A multi-faceted agriculture and food accident dataset was defined, developed and extracted from the main RIDDOR accident database. The dataset includes facilities which enable isolated analysis of the SIC industry codes that the HSE use to define agriculture and food in order that high risk areas can be directly linked to published agriculture accident statistics.

The most common kind of major injury accident was a slip, trip or fall on the same level and handling/sprains accounted for the majority of over 3-day injury accidents across agriculture and food. In agriculture mixed farming was the highest risk industry and farm worker the highest risk occupation. The bread and pastry industry accounts for the majority of injuries across all food and drink industries. Across agriculture and food the work processes on-site transfer and general handling appear as principal risks.

Recommendations included concerted action in the areas outlined as high risk throughout the report.

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 2021-04-23