Farm Safety Under the Spotlight: HSE Launches Major Inspection Campaign

Farming is statistically the most dangerous industry in Britain. People on farms are 21 times more likely to be killed in a workplace accident than workers in other sectors. With 161 deaths recorded on UK farms over the last five years — an average of 26 per year, including members of the public and children — the HSE has launched a major inspection campaign to drive cultural change across the agricultural sector.

The HSE’s Farm Inspection Campaign

HSE inspectors are visiting farms across England, Scotland and Wales to check compliance with long-standing legal requirements and to drive a shift in safety culture. 440 visits are planned during the campaign.

Inspections focus on the main causes of death in farming:

Working with cattle
Operating and maintaining vehicles and machinery
Falls from height
Management of cattle around public rights of way
Child safety on farm premises

HSE farm safety inspection campaign — HSE inspectors are checking compliance across England, Scotland and Wales

“There are simply too many tragedies in farming and it is time for that to change. The only way we will reduce the numbers being injured or killed is if we change behaviour.” — HSE Inspector Kathy Gostick

Case Study: Fatal Electrocution at Littlecombe Farm

Farm vehicle overhead power line hazard — Vehicles with extendable parts must never operate without an overhead line risk assessment

On 13 May 2021, Patrick ‘Paddy’ Rice, a 43-year-old father of three, was fatally electrocuted at VB Farms LLP’s Littlecombe Farm in Crediton, Devon. Delivering stone to repair farm tracks, the hydraulic arm of his tipper lorry made contact with an 11kV overhead power line. He was electrocuted after exiting the vehicle.

The HSE investigation found VB Farms LLP had failed to assess how the delivery could be completed safely and had not considered the overhead line risk. The farm was fined £60,000.

What Farm Operators Need to Do

⚡ Overhead Power Lines

Map all lines on your land and establish safe distances.
Install barriers, goal posts or exclusion zones near lines.
Brief all contractors and drivers before work begins.
Include in site inductions and risk assessments.

🐄 Working with Cattle

Ensure handling facilities are in good repair.
Never work alone with cattle where possible.
Manage routes to avoid public rights of way conflicts.
Brief all staff on safe cattle handling procedures.

🚜 Vehicles & Machinery

Maintain all vehicles and machinery regularly.
Operators must be trained and documented as competent.
Segregate pedestrian and vehicle routes where possible.
Children must never operate farm machinery.

✅ The Bottom Line

With 440 inspections planned, the chances of an HSE visit are real. More importantly, the consequences of not managing these risks can be fatal. The HSE is a key member of the Farm Safety Partnership, which provides guidance and resources specifically for the agricultural sector.

Need support with farm health and safety risk assessments or training? Contact Ryder Partnership →