A new report has investigated the dangers that UK workers face across the country, revealing that farming is the second most dangerous industry. It takes second place above a whole host of other occupations you might think are more risky, such as mining, rig work, fishing, forestry, security, and firefighters.

The study by life insurance specialists, I’m Insured, analyses the latest HSE (Health and Safety Executive) data to reveal the most dangerous occupations, common causes of death and the age groups most at risk.

Report reveals the UK’s deadliest occupations - farming is the second most dangerous

The data analysed by I’m Insured has revealed that agriculture is the second most deadly industry for UK workers.

I’m Insured broke down the fatal data by industry, revealing that after construction, farming is the next deadliest job. Over 5 years, there were 127 deaths in the farming workplace, and more than 1 in 6 overall deaths were attributed to this occupation. 

Farming is inherently dangerous job due to a number of risk factors including, operating heavy equipment, and animals, and these are factors that few other sectors share.

Fatal injuries by age in the agricultural workplace - 65+ most at risk

Working with animals, moving vehicles, and dangerous machinery are all essential in the agriculture world, but they’re also the largest cause of fatalities in the farming workplace. Coming into contact with cattle accounted for 18% of work deaths in farming between 2015 and 2020. 

Being struck my a moving vehicle in the workplace, or machinery are also some of the largest causes of death.

Fatal injuries by age in the agricultural workplace - 65+ most at risk

While the average age of the UK's workforce is increasing, there are more fatal accidents in older workers than younger workers. It's likely this is more prominent in the agriculture industry due to a decrease in new talent. 

A study by Barclays Bank found that almost 4 in 10 UK farmers are over aged 65+, with the average age 55.5, and only 3% of millennials view farming as a desirable career option.