IOSH highlights economic pressure on UK farms as safety risk

UK farmers under strain amid safety concerns

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has reported that economic challenges in UK agriculture are contributing to continued health and safety risks, particularly as farmers take on longer hours and delay risk assessments.

This update was delivered during an IOSH webinar held as part of 2025 Farm Safety Week, chaired by IOSH President-Elect Richard Bate.

According to IOSH, the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector continues to record the highest fatality rate of any UK industry, despite comprising only one percent of the workforce.

IOSH said that in 2023/24 alone, 11,000 serious injuries were recorded, and the sector accounted for 20 percent of all workplace deaths.

Richard Bate said: “The need for collaborative, meaningful conversations and change on farm safety has rarely been more urgent.”

Rising operational costs impact risk management

Webinar panellist Olivia Barrett, a risk management consultant at NFU Mutual, said rising input costs were placing increased pressure on farmers.

She said that costs related to animal feed, fuel, power and straw had risen from 38 percent to 50 percent of total farm expenditure.

She explained that competitive market conditions have prevented farmers from passing on these costs through product pricing.

Barrett stated that these financial burdens are leading to operational compromises that can impact health and safety practice.

Other panellists echoed this concern, pointing to risk-prone working conditions becoming more common.

Workforce fatigue and mental health risks

Mike Whiting, a farming consultant and chair of the IOSH Rural Industries Group, warned that workforce cuts are causing longer hours for remaining staff.

Whiting said: “This has forced many farm workers into working even longer hours, causing fatigue.”

He explained that tiredness among farm staff has increased the likelihood of accidents, injuries, and fatalities.

Whiting also highlighted wider implications including isolation, loneliness and mental health strain.

He linked these pressures to labour shortages, rising taxation, and employers’ national insurance obligations.

Diversification shifts attention from safety

Panellists said that many farmers are now generating more income through tourism and leisure than through traditional farming.

Alex Phillimore of the Farming Community Network said: “Farming, what farmers are passionate about and is in their blood, isn’t paying the bills anymore.”

He said examples include glamping and on-site food services, which require different safety considerations.

Phillimore added: “Health and safety may not always be front of mind because it’s not their priority.”

He warned that mental health and injury prevention are becoming marginalised topics in farm management conversations.

Fatalities linked to ATVs prompt training support

The Health and Safety Executive has reported that seven workplace fatalities in agriculture, forestry and fishing in 2024/25 involved all-terrain vehicles, including two children.

The Farm Safety Foundation, also known as Yellow Wellies, has launched a partnership with Lantra to offer fully funded ATV safety training.

The bursary is available to 100 UK farmers for accredited training programmes focused on proper use of these vehicles.

Stephanie Berkeley, who leads the Farm Safety Foundation, said the initiative is part of wider educational outreach aimed at improving safety attitudes among young farmers.

Berkeley said: “It’s just those gentle reminders that are needed, including telling the farmers that they themselves really matter.”

IOSH highlights economic pressure on UK farms as safety risk: Summary

IOSH hosted a webinar during Farm Safety Week 2025 on the state of risk in UK agriculture.

The sector continues to record the highest fatality rate of all UK industries.

Agriculture accounts for one percent of the workforce but 20 percent of all work-related deaths.

In 2023/24, 11,000 serious injuries were recorded on UK farms.

Rising costs are impacting safety practices, according to NFU Mutual.

Farmers are increasingly working longer hours, causing fatigue and higher risk.

Farming Community Network said financial pressure is pushing farmers into tourism and leisure.

Health and safety is not always prioritised as farmers diversify their businesses.

Seven deaths in 2024/25 were linked to all-terrain vehicles, including children.

Yellow Wellies and Lantra have launched a training bursary for safer ATV use.