The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) and FUW Insurance Services Ltd. are urging the farming community to carefully consider the risks on farms as figures released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) point to an increase in farm fatalities over the last year.
According to provisional data released by the HSE, agriculture, forestry and fishing recorded 34 fatal injuries in 2020/21, an increase of 13 from the 21 fatalities recorded the previous year. The five-year average for fatal injuries in the sector now stands at 28.
Included in these fatalities were seven fatal deaths in Wales within agriculture, forestry and fishing in 2020/21. The report highlights that, taking account of differing employment levels between sectors, the rate of fatal injury per 100,000 workers is greatest in agriculture, forestry and fishing and waste and recycling.