Dear Editor,

FARMING accounts for 1% of the working population but an alarming 18% of all workplace deaths according to the HSE Fatal Injuries in Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing Report in GB 2021/2022. In the past year 22 farm workers lost their lives on GB farms.

This year is the 10th anniversary of Farm Safety Week (FSW), running from 18 to 22 July, which includes more than 400 partners in five countries supporting better safety in agriculture. FSW in the UK is organized by the Farm Safety Foundation, a small UK-wide charity dedicated to raising awareness of farm safety and mental wellbeing in farmers.

The week will see the launch of a new farm safety video on Monday (18 July), followed by the publication of various articles on farm safety for sharing, plus a special panel discussion at the Royal Welsh Show on Tuesday (19 July).

Anyone creating and sharing farm safety content on social media throughout the week are requested to use hashtag #FarmSafetyWeek, and tag @yellowwelliesUK.

Notes:

1. Farmers Weekly article: https://www.fwi.co.uk/business/business-management/health-and-safety/farm-deaths-almost-halve-in-12-months-new-hse-figures-show

2. Farm Safety Foundation article: https://www.yellowwellies.org/