Farm Safety Week 2019

15th – 19th July 2019

Monday 15th July is the start of the seventh annual Farm Safety Week. Farm Safety Week is the one week in the year when farming organisations, including Honda, communities and government departments join forces to raise awareness of farming having the poorest safety record of any occupation in the UK in a bid to inspire real change in risk-taking behaviour.

Stephanie Berkeley from Yellow Wellies, The Farm Safety Foundation, outlines here why this should matter and why you should care… 


“It’s hard to believe that this is our 7th annual Farm Safety Week” says Stephanie Berkeley, Manager of the Farm Safety Foundation…

“In a year when it has been revealed that, despite there being seven times more workers employed in the construction industry than agriculture, forestry and fishing, you are actually seven times more likely to be killed on a farm than on a construction site! * 

Awareness of farm safety is at an all-time high with 67% of all farmers aware of Farm Safety Week. However, over the past year, we still lost another 32 workers in the industry. Awareness may be one thing – the time has now come for some ACTION.

The Farm Safety Foundation is proud to manage the Farm Safety Week campaign and we have grown it into a collaborative annual initiative involving over 200 partners in five countries – England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. 

Despite the work being done to raise awareness of farm safety and to challenge and change the behaviours of farmers and the increased attention farmers’ mental wellbeing has received in recent years from our Mind Your Head, SAYFC ‘Are Ewe Okay’ and Farmers’ Weekly ‘Fit2Farm’ campaigns, so much more can, and must be done…

Two more children lost their lives last week in incidents involving farm vehicles so when is our industry going to sit up, take note and take action? Farming, as an industry, is vital to the UK economy – it is the bedrock of our food and drink industry. On a farm, as with any business, the number one resource is the people so why do farmers still give more attention to their livestock, crops and machinery than to themselves and their own wellbeing?

Many farmers are using technology, learning business skills and taking innovative steps to make their farm businesses safe, resilient and sustainable but it is equally important for them to realise that they are the farms greatest asset?  Investing in your physical and mental wellbeing will be the only way to really future proof your business… and your life.

Honesty is a highly respected attribute in the farming community. Real stories have the power to cut through because they are rooted in truth and, this year, we have some truly inspirational people who have shared their journey, their personal experience and how they are using this to drive change and, in one case, what that ‘lightbulb moment’ was… literally.

This week please take two minutes to watch our new hero film titled Mud, Sweat and Tears on Facebook / Twitter / Instagram and please like and share/retweet. This year we’re keeping it real and sharing the stories of four incredible farmers whose resilience, tenacity and clear drive to make a difference could, and should, inspire everyone in the industry. 

We are proud to work in this area and help make a real difference in an industry that we love and respect. Over the past six years, we have delivered successful campaigns and we will continue to do so. The Farm Safety Foundation can continue to train the next generation, conduct research into farm safety behaviours and attitudes and use these real stories to create powerful and emotive films but the rest is up to you… 

The real change lies in your hands...”

6,600 ATVs used on farms in the UK

more than 1000 injured in ATV accidents each year

If you would like to donate to help Yellow Wellies visit - www.justgiving.com/farmsafety 

As the UK’s leading manufacturer of ATVs Honda takes its commitment to safe and responsible usage incredibly seriously. Steve Morris, Honda’s Head of Power Products at Honda UK commented… 

“We are delighted to be supporting the vital work of the wider industry by doing our bit to help promote farm safety. We do everything we can to make our machines as safe as possible and in addition to this we offer free EASI® (European ATV Safety Institute) training on all purchases of an ATV or Pioneer utility vehicles as standard. 

“The EASI courses take up to five hours and aims to improve operator skills, safety levels and awareness of the capabilities of Honda’s ATV and Pioneer products. We highly recommend all ATV users take advantage of the training on offer as well as wearing the correct safety equipment comprising a helmet and gloves and keeping their machine well maintained.”

Honda Ambassador Gareth Wyn Jones and his family have been relying on Honda ATVs for the brunt of their farm’s day-to-day work for more than thirty years and are passionate advocates for ATV safety. Here is what he has to say…..

 “ATVs are vital pieces of equipment on most farms. For over thirty years, my family and I have been relying on Honda ATVs- known for their reliability and ability to perform in the harshest of environments. All-terrain vehicles, like quads and utility vehicles, have made a huge contribution to farming; making everyday tasks simpler, safer and quicker. 

Working alongside my father, uncles and cousins on an 800ha (2000 acre) sheep and beef farm, we cover a lot of miles between us every day, and use our ATVs daily, to feed, gather and check animals in the fields in all weathers. We currently run six ATVs (five Honda TRX420s and one Honda TRX500), transversing numerous miles of steep and boggy terrain, every day. 

According to the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE), there are an estimated 6,600 ATVs used on farms in the UK, but sadly, on average, two people die, and more than 1,000 are injured in ATV accidents every year. Injuries range from mild concussion to devastating brain damage, causing permanent and severe disabilities. 

Farming is hazardous enough; Working in agriculture is still the most dangerous job in Great Britain. However, these ATV related deaths entirely preventable. Currently, no-one wearing a helmet has ever been killed in a quad accident while working on a UK farm. 

Just like cycling and horse riding, ATV helmets used to be a rare sight, however, we now know a lot more than we did back then - and when there are deaths and life-changing injuries happening every year that could easily be prevented by wearing a helmet, those who still refuse to do so, need a major readjustment of their priorities. 

In Northern Ireland it is illegal to use an ATV without a helmet, with riders facing a fine of up to £500 if they do not. 

I recently spoke to Luke Griggs, director of communications at Headway – the brain injury association, who told me just how devastating the effects of a brain injury can be, often stripping away an individual's independence and basic life skills they once took for granted, impacting everything from walking and talking, to thinking and feeling. It can also devastate the lives of family members and loved ones who may suddenly find themselves as carers or feel powerless to help. 

If you are looking for some help regarding ATV safety, the European ATV Safety Institute (EASI) is a not for profit organisation, which is sponsored by the six leading ATV manufacturers, including Honda, and provides free, or highly subsidised training for ATV drivers with all purchases of an ATV or Pioneer utility vehicles as standard. EASI claim that most ATV accidents are caused by overturning, and that most injuries are due to impact with the ground or being struck by the vehicle. The EASI courses take up to five hours and aims to improve operator skills, safety levels and awareness of the capabilities of Honda’s ATV and Pioneer products. 

Research has proved the effectiveness of helmets in protecting the skull and brain from impact, particularly when striking hard surfaces. We all think ‘it will never happen to me’, but the reality is an accident can happen to anyone at any time, regardless of the experience or ability of the rider. It is vital that we take heed of the warnings and protect ourselves and our loved ones.” 

Gareth Wyn Jones, the nation’s favourite Farmer and commentator for The Royal Welsh Show, lives in Llanfairfechan, North Wales, where his family has farmed for 350 years.  Star of BBC One’s BAFTA nominated show, The Family Farm, and author of ‘The Hill Farmer’, Wyn Jones came to national prominence in the aftermath of a severe snowstorm in 2013 which devastated his livestock. News reports at the time showed Wyn Jones physically dragging his livestock, which had been trapped for days under heavy snow, to safety on the Carneddau Mountains.