REAL Success recruitment director on Farm Safety Week

These are the words of James Harris, recruitment director at REAL Success, who is keen to highlight the important of health and safety during Farm Safety Week (July 22-26). 

Farm Safety Week is an annual campaign led by the Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies), which aims to raise awareness of the dangers of working in farming. The 2024 campaign marks 10 years of the Farm Safety Foundation - a charity set up by NFU Mutual. 

James said: “People still think health and safety is imposed upon them, but we have to cross the bridge between compliance and culture. As long as it’s a box-ticking exercise it’s not true farm safety. 

“Most accidents are as a result of habit, haste, fatigue or improperly maintained machinery. Safety shouldn’t be an afterthought, it should be a forethought – we often fit an alarm on our houses after being burgled."

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the agricultural sector has a fatal injury rate 18 times higher than the average across all industries. In the past year, 34 people lost their lives on UK farms, while countless others suffered severe injuries.

James added: “Farming is often seen as inherently risky, with accidents viewed as part of the job. This attitude needs to shift towards a proactive approach to safety.

“Training and education are essential in this effort, providing farmers and workers with the skills to identify and mitigate risks. Farm safety is also about how hard you’re expecting people to work – accidents happen when people are tired.

“Regular risk assessments, safety drills, and the use of protective equipment must become routine. Leadership is crucial - farm owners and managers must set an example by showing that safety is a core value.

“By prioritising health and safety, we can protect those who work in this essential industry and ensure its sustainability for future generations.

“It's time to change our mindset. In farming, as in any other industry, safety must come first.”