Farm death rate still high

Figures released by the HSE earlier this month show that last year 38 people died in accidents on farms, including 20 self-employed, 15 employees and three members of the public.

T&G national secretary Peter Allenson said: "The figures are the lowest for a decade but the injury rate remains worryingly high."

Compared with last year, the number of self-employed workers who died rose by one, while the number of employees killed fell by five. But because the number of workers in agriculture is declining, it is the injury rate that gives a more accurate picture. In 2001-2002 the injury rate was 9.6 per 100,000, compared with an average of 8.6 per 100,000 over the last decade. In the last 10 years almost 500 people have been killed as a result of agricultural work.

www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/pdf/fatal02.pdf