Farming is recognised as one of the most dangerous industries to work in as according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) agriculture accounts for one in five workplace fatalities. Some of the most common types of accidents are:

• Slips, trips and falls,
• Injuries caused by farm animals and livestock.
• Accidents involving heavy equipment and machinery.
• Manual handling accidents.
• Falling from a height.
• Being struck by a falling object or a moving vehicle.
• Inhalation of slurry gases.

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic there is a real risk that a lack of diligence around health and safety procedures could lead to standards slipping. As a result there could be an impact on safe working practices and procedures and the maintenance of equipment. This could be exacerbated by the current labour shortages which may encourage farmers to call in favours from potentially inexperienced workers such as friends and family. All of these factors could lead to a rise in the number of accidents and injuries occurring on farms. It is important that farm owners and farm workers understand the implications when an injury does occur.

A farm owner’s liability for accidents and injuries

Farming is an important industry in the UK and as employers farmers have a duty of care to try and protect any employees while they are working. The duty of care is the same whether you work on an arable, pastoral or mixed farm. As in any workplace, employers must take care to ensure work is carried out in a safe manner and that equipment is properly maintained and in good working order. If an employer fails to do this then the consequences could be tragic.

Most injuries can be avoided if an employer carries out regular risk assessments to identify any risks arising from work related tasks and introduces methods to remove or reduce that risk. Risk assessments should be prepared that relate to the overall operating of the farm and to specific tasks and work processes that are carried out.

Employers should discourage short cuts and train their employees in the best way of carrying out any particular task. This also includes making sure that the drivers of farm vehicles such as tractors are not only trained but also qualified in driving the vehicle. Employees should also be provided with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) relevant to the tasks they are to be involved in.

It is often the case that farm equipment and machinery has been used for many years without being properly maintained. Safety features may have been removed, corners are sometimes cut and dangerous practices used. Employers should make sure that all farm machinery, equipment and vehicles are maintained properly, to ensure that the chance of accidents at work caused by equipment is as low as possible.

Farm animals and livestock should be properly cared for being provided with a suitable environment to live in which in turn makes them safer to handle.

In addition any harmful chemicals should be stored correctly and safely including labelling them appropriately, the workplace should be kept clean, tidy and well-organised to avoid tripping and slipping accidents, emergency drills should be conducted to help prepare for potential accidents like workplace fires or chemical spills.

Overall, promoting a strong safety culture in the workplace with positive reinforcement and reward for employees committing themselves to safety practices is one of the best things an employer can do to avoid accidents and injuries from occurring.

Farm workers’ rights and what they can do if they are injured 

As a farm worker you are entitled to work in an environment where the risk to your health and safety is minimised which reduces the risk of you sustaining an injury at work. Under health and safety law, the primary responsibility for this is with your employer.

As an employee, you also have a duty to help prevent accidents at work. You can do this by following health and safety procedure so you don’t put your colleague’s health and safety at risk. You can also report unsafe working practices, systems, machinery or equipment and those not following health and safety procedures properly to your supervisor. Health and safety legislation requires employers and employees to cooperate to reduce the risk of accident’s happening.

If you have specific queries about health and safety in your workplace, and you worry that you or someone you work with is at risk from suffering an accident at work, speak to your supervisor, health and safety or trade union representative.

Unfortunately accidents at work do occur. If you have had an accident at work then you may be able to bring a personal injury claim against your employer. A civil claim can compensate you for your pain, suffering and loss of amenity and any associated financial losses you have incurred.