Agriculture is one of the most dangerous sectors in the UK, and when accidents occur, they often involve machinery. The machines used in agriculture are typically large and powerful, and when farm workers are left to operate these dangerous pieces of equipment alone in remote environments, the risk of serious injury is high. The consequences of such accidents can be grave.

Common Mechanical Hazards in Agriculture and Farming

There are numerous common mechanical hazards in the agriculture and farming sectors. Some of the most frequent types of accidents involving machinery include:

• Crushing
• Entanglement
• Drawing-in
• Shearing
• Cutting or severing
• Impact
• Stabbing or puncture
• Friction or abrasion
• Mobile machinery
• High-pressure fluid injection

If you are a farm worker, it is essential that you receive adequate health and safety training before beginning any task that involves working with or near agricultural machinery. The proper training can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and ensure you understand the potential hazards, as outlined by agricultural accidents facts.

Could Thompsons Help you make a claim for compensation?

If you have been involved in an accident at work and suffered a personal injury, you can discuss your situation confidentially with our specialist accident and injury lawyers. There is no obligation to make a claim, but if you choose to proceed, we will operate on a no win, no fee basis. Not only will making a personal injury claim provide the compensation you deserve, but it could also protect future employees from having a similar accident at work. 

Agricultural Accidents Facts and Figures

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), agriculture has the highest fatal injury incidence rate of all major industrial sectors in the UK. Many might assume that construction would have the highest fatality rate; however, in 2014/15, there were 33 agricultural worker fatalities reported. This equates to a rate of 9.12 deaths per 100,000 employees or self-employed individuals, compared to 1.62 fatalities per 100,000 in the construction industry.*

*Provisional figures as of Aug 2015.

Five-Year Agricultural Accidents Facts

Between 2009/10 and 2013/14, the average number of worker deaths in agriculture and related industries was 33 per year. The main causes of death among agricultural workers during this period were:

• Transport accidents (being run over or vehicle overturns) - accounting for 19% of fatalities
• Being struck by moving or falling objects (bales, trees, etc.) - 17%
• Contact with moving machinery - 13%
• Falling from height (through fragile roofs, trees, etc.) - 10%
• Livestock-related fatalities - 10%
• Trapped by something collapsing or overturning - 9%
• Asphyxiation/drowning - 7%

In addition to fatalities, there were 375 reported major injuries to employees and 508 reported over seven-day injuries during the same period. These agricultural accidents facts highlight the dangers faced by workers in this industry.

Major Injuries to Different Types of Workers

In 2013/14, the following numbers of major or specified injuries occurred in different agricultural occupations:

• Farm workers - 96
• Animal care services occupations - 28
• Forestry workers - 25
• Agricultural and fishing trades - 14
• Fishing and other elementary agriculture occupations - 12

Could Thompsons Help You?

If you have been involved in an agricultural industry accident and suffered a personal injury, Thompsons Solicitors can help. Our specialist accident and injury lawyers will discuss your case with you confidentially and without obligation. If you decide to proceed with a claim, we will operate on a no win, no fee basis, ensuring that you receive the compensation you deserve. Additionally, by making a personal injury claim, you may help prevent similar accidents from happening to other workers in the future.

Call us today to speak to our specialist lawyers today and learn how we can assist you.