The Farm Safety Foundation’s 2023 campaign raises awareness for risks and responsibilities associated with working in agriculture.
NFU Scotland are proud to be one of the key supporters of Farm Safety Week (17-21 July), managed and funded by the Farm Safety Foundation (or Yellow Wellies as many know them).
Over the past 10 years the annual focus has grown and now involves more than 400 partners in five countries – England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Now in its 11th year, this annual event raises awareness of the impacts of farm accidents on the industry and community and promotes the importance of farming safely.
According to Stephanie Berkeley, manager of the Farm Safety Foundation, the charity leading the campaign: “While there are signs that attitudes and behaviours are changing in the industry, this change is not coming fast enough – especially for those that have been affected by life-changing or life-ending incidents across the UK & Ireland over the past year.
“Farm Safety Week is an opportunity to come together as an industry and recognise those lost to and impacted by incidents on farms. Whether new to the industry or farming for years, we all have a role to play in improving the poor safety record that we can’t seem to shake.
“This week is about raising awareness of our responsibilities as farmers, farm workers, employees or contractors and providing practical advice to make every day safe.
NFUS Vice President Alasdair Macnab added: “NFU Scotland is proud to be supporting the Farm Safety Foundation by promoting their 2023 Farm Safety Week campaign. Farm Safety is something that should be in our daily work routines all year round, not just during Farm Safety Week.
“By supporting this campaign, we aim to drive improvement in the working environment and reduce the risks farmers, farm staff and crofters face on a daily basis.”
Figures released by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) Fatal Injuries in Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing in GB Report 2022/23 reveal that a total of 27 lives were lost on farm in Great Britain, compared to 30 last year. While this is an encouraging improvement, the number is still too high when compared to other sectors’ figures, as the fatality rate in agriculture accounts for a shocking 18% of all deaths in the workplace despite those employed in Agriculture only making up 1% of the working population.
NFU Scotland is committed to helping make agriculture a safer industry for all those working in it by raising awareness of not only the hazards and health risks involved, but of important safety measures and practises you can implement all year round.
- For more information on ‘Farm Safety Week’ visit www.yellowwellies.org or follow @yellowwelliesUK on Twitter/Facebook/Instagram using the hashtag #FarmSafetyWeek.
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