Agriculture remains the most dangerous occupation in the UK, with 33 deaths recorded between 1 April 2025 and 1 April 2026.
This marks an increase on the previous year, when 23 workers were killed across the forestry, farming and fishing sectors in Britain, alongside five in Northern Ireland.
Although just 1% of the UK workforce is employed in farming, the sector accounts for around 20% of all workplace fatalities. The fatal injury rate is 22 times higher than the average across other industries.
Since 1 April this year, a further six people have lost their lives. One agricultural worker was killed when a raised trailer collapsed on 30 April; another died on 5 May from injuries sustained while repairing a cattle gate.
“We have sadly lost a member of the farming community every week for the last couple of months,” Jill Hewitt, chief executive of the National Association of Agricultural Contractors, told Farmers Weekly. “This is horrific, shocking and becoming far too common.”
The Health and Safety Executive reports on deaths in the workplace every financial year, recording cause of death and the industry sector in which the fatality occurred.
Vehicles remain the leading cause of fatal farm accidents, accounting for around 30% of deaths. Other major causes include machinery, crushing incidents such as collapsing loads or falling bales, livestock – particularly cattle – and falls from height.
The fatal injury rate in agriculture has shown no significant reduction since 1980 and has been described by the Health and Safety Executive’s Head of Agriculture as “stubbornly high”.
Risks are compounded by the remote nature of many agricultural workplaces, where rapid emergency response is often difficult. Self-employed farmers, who frequently work alone without oversight, accounted for 65% of fatal injuries between 2019 and 2024.
Older workers are especially vulnerable, with those over 60 accounting for 40% of fatalities. Children are also at risk, particularly from vehicles. Two children were killed in all-terrain vehicle incidents in 2024/25, underscoring the importance of supervision and constant vigilance when young people are on farms.
The National Farmers Union has been approached for comment.
