As new figures show a rise in agricultural deaths, the NFU is urging farmers to make safety a priority this Farm Safety Week (20–24 July).
HSE data shows 29 people died while working in agriculture between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026, up six on the previous year. Machinery remains the leading cause of fatal incidents, highlighting the importance of routine maintenance, proper training, risk assessment and avoiding shortcuts.
The NFU says good health and safety practices protect farmers, employees and family members, and is encouraging everyone to take five minutes to assess risks through its Take 5, Stay Alive campaign.
With hot weather continuing, the NFU is also reminding farmers of the increased risk of wildfires and machinery fires during harvest.