A TOTAL of 27 people were killed as a result of accidents on Great Britain's farms during the year 2015-16, according to provisional annual data released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) yesterday at the Association of British Dairy Farmers annual Livestock Event in the Birmingham NEC.
That figure compares to an average annual fatality rate of 32 deaths over the previous five years and 33 deaths during 2014/15 - a rate of 9.12 deaths per 100,000 workers, which is significantly higher than any other industry.
The sobering statistic was published to coincide with the fourth annual Farm Safety Week which began on Monday with the aim of reducing the number of accidents that continue to give agriculture the poorest record of any occupation in the UK and Ireland.
The awareness week encourages farmers and those within the industry to make their safety and the safety of those around them a priority.
Over the course of the week, NFU Scotland has detailed personal stories from well-known farmers from across Scotland who have had an accident on their farm, the impact it had on them and how their practices changed as a result. Each of the main causes of death or injury on farm will have been featured - falls, livestock, machinery and transport - rounding off the week tomorrow (Friday) with a special message on child safety.
Where fatal accidents did occur during 2015/16, the causes of death were all too familiar. The five main causes of fatal injuries involved moving or overturning vehicles (seven fatalities), falls from height (six), drowning or asphyxiation (three), machinery (three), and animals (three).
Speaking from Birmingham, Allan Bowie, NFUS president commented: "One death on Scotland's farms and crofts is one too many and many of us have witnessed first-hand the heartbreak and devastation this can cause.
"Although these statistics released today reveal that the numbers of fatalities for the UK as a whole have reduced year on year, for Scotland they have reduced by just one death. We still have a lot of work to do yet to change the attitudes of farmers.
"The stark reality is that we need a change of behaviour and attitude - those working within the industry are not invincible and we know accidents do happen. Until farmers, crofters and those working with the industry realise that, then we will continue to see heartbreak on farms across the country.
"Farming is unique from other occupations - we tend to have a number of family members from various generations working together. It is all too easy to take a shortcut and when something goes wrong it can have a life-changing impact on family, friends and the business."
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