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28 Lives Lost in a Year: Rethinking Safety in UK Farming
Facts About Gas, General
- Callum Brown
- 25 Jul 2025
Farming remains the most dangerous profession in the UK, with 28 lives lost in 2024/25. This Farm Safety Week, we explore why the risks persist, the hidden dangers of toxic gases, and how the right protective equipment can help prevent serious injuries and fatalities on UK farms.
Farming feeds the nation, but it remains one of the most dangerous jobs in the UK.
According to the latest figures released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), 28 people lost their lives in farm-related incidents across the UK in 2024/25. That includes 23 deaths in Great Britain and five in Northern Ireland, with nearly half of the victims aged over 65. Tragically, two of those killed were children.
These figures are not just numbers. They represent families torn apart, communities shaken, and avoidable tragedies that continue year after year.
The agricultural sector makes up just 1 percent of the UK workforce, yet accounts for nearly 20 percent of all workplace fatalities. Behind these sobering statistics are familiar causes: overturned vehicles, falls from height, hazardous gases, and a deeply embedded culture of risk acceptance.
As Farm Safety Week 2025 begins, the message is clear: luck is not a safety strategy.
At Frontline Safety, we believe that change begins with awareness, followed by action. This blog explores why farming continues to carry such high risk, the hidden dangers posed by gases and confined spaces, and the essential role that protective equipment and safety systems can play in saving lives.
Why Farming Is Still the UK’s Deadliest Profession in 2025
Despite ongoing awareness campaigns and better access to safety equipment, farming has once again topped the HSE’s list of the most dangerous industries in the UK.
In the last year alone, 28 people died in farm-related incidents. The majority were experienced workers, with nearly 50 percent of fatalities involving individuals over 65. These were not isolated incidents. They occurred across livestock farms, crop operations, and family-run businesses — places where long hours, routine tasks, and self-reliance are part of daily life.
UK Agriculture: Common Causes of Death & Injury (HSE, 2025)
- Overturned or moving vehicles (ATVs, telehandlers)
- Falls from height (barns, silos, ladders)
- Crush injuries & entrapments (machinery incidents)
- Hazardous gases in confined spaces (e.g. slurry pits)
- Livestock-related injuries
- Lack of training or supervision, especially for lone/older workers
Farming accounted for nearly 1 in 5 workplace deaths in 2025, despite a small workforce share.
The reasons are long-standing and often interconnected:
- Complacency: “We’ve always done it this way” culture
- Lone working: Especially in remote rural areas, increasing emergency risks
- Old machinery/buildings: Lacking modern safety features
- Underuse of PPE or detection tools: Seen as optional by many
According to the Farm Safety Foundation:
- 81% of farmers believe complacency causes accidents
- 82% cite poor attitudes toward risk
Familiarity can be fatal. Just because a process feels safe doesn’t mean it is. Confidence ≠ protection.
Invisible Agricultural Hazards: Toxic Gases & Airborne Risks
While machinery and falls from height are highly visible risks, many of the most dangerous hazards in farming are invisible. Toxic gases, depleted oxygen levels, and airborne contaminants are all too common—especially in confined or poorly ventilated spaces.
These risks are not always immediately apparent. Without proper monitoring, they can lead to rapid injury or death.
Common Hazardous Gases in Agriculture
| Gas | Source | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) | Slurry pits, manure agitation, anaerobic digesters | Highly toxic, can cause unconsciousness in seconds |
| Carbon monoxide (CO) | Generators, pressure washers, grain dryers in enclosed spaces | Odourless asphyxiant, risk of death even at low exposure |
| Methane (CH₄) | Animal waste, silage, anaerobic processes | Flammable, displaces oxygen |
| Carbon dioxide (CO₂) | Crop storage, animal respiration, gas stunning systems | Asphyxiant, particularly dangerous in confined areas |
| Ammonia (NH₃) | Livestock housing, fertiliser use | Respiratory irritant, corrosive |
| Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) | Silage fermentation, diesel exhaust | Toxic and causes respiratory inflammation |
| Phosphine (PH₃) | Grain fumigation | Extremely toxic in enclosed areas |
Where Do These Gases Build Up?
- Slurry tanks and pits
- Grain silos and storage rooms
- Livestock barns and poultry sheds
- Drainage systems and chemical storage units
Even with some ventilation, dangerous gas levels can develop within minutes.
Why Monitoring and PPE Matter
Many of these gases are:
- Odourless or can dull the sense of smell
- Colourless — impossible to detect without instruments
- Fast-acting, leaving little time to escape
HSE Recommendations
- Use pre-entry gas testing with pumped monitors
- Carry continuous personal monitors in confined spaces
- Wear RPE (Respiratory Protective Equipment) when full gas removal isn’t possible
Tragically, multiple deaths have occurred when one worker entered a toxic space to rescue another.
The PPE and Equipment That Can Save Lives
When it comes to preventing injuries and fatalities in farming, the right equipment can make the difference between a close call and a catastrophe. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) encourages employers and workers to identify risks, assess environments, and apply the correct protective equipment.
At Frontline Safety, we supply a wide range of safety tools designed to protect agricultural workers from the most common risks. Below are key categories of equipment and how they help prevent accidents.
Gas Detection Equipment
Monitoring gases is essential in areas where hazardous substances may build up—like slurry pits, crop stores, and confined machinery spaces.
Recommended options:
- Pumped gas detectors for pre-entry testing of confined spaces like silos and tanks
- Personal gas monitors clipped to clothing for continuous monitoring
- Area gas monitors for larger sheds or barns with limited airflow
Key hazards detected: H₂S, CO, CH₄, CO₂, NH₃, PH₃ and oxygen depletion.
Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)
When air quality can't be fully controlled by ventilation, personal respiratory protection becomes essential—especially around dust, gases, vapours, and organic matter.
RPE solutions:
- FFP3-rated dust masks for grain and feed handling
- Gas filter half-masks with cartridges for ammonia, H₂S, or VOCs
- Powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR) for long work sessions in dusty areas
- Escape sets for confined space rescue or emergency egress
Frontline Safety is an official Dräger channel partner and offers expert guidance on RPE selection and fit testing.
Fall Protection
Falls from height are the second most common cause of death in agriculture, often involving ladders, rooftops, silos, or stacked bales.
Fall protection essentials:
- Full-body harness kits for roof work and maintenance
- Confined space tripod kits with rescue winch systems
- Adjustable lanyards and anchor systems for elevated platforms or storage areas
Trusted brands: Abtech, MSA, and Miller.
Noise Monitoring and Hearing Protection
The use of tractors, grinders, and other loud equipment makes long-term hearing damage a serious risk in farming.
Options include:
- Noise dosimeters for personal exposure monitoring
- Smart ear defenders that reduce harmful dB levels but allow communication
- Handheld sound level meters for HSE compliance checks
Whether it’s detecting silent gas build-up or staying safe at height, equipment only works if it’s selected properly and used consistently. Investing in quality protection is not just a regulatory obligation — it’s a commitment to your team’s safety.
How Frontline Safety Supports Safer Farming Practices
Farm Safety Week is a reminder that behind every statistic is a preventable tragedy. At Frontline Safety, we believe progress in farming safety comes from pairing awareness with action. That means having access to reliable equipment, expert guidance, and a clear understanding of the risks involved.
We work directly with farmers, contractors, and agricultural businesses across the UK to offer solutions that are tailored to real-world hazards.
A Safer Farming Future Starts with Action
Farming does not have to remain the most dangerous job in the UK. But change will not happen unless the industry continues to shift away from routine risk and toward responsible safety planning.
This Farm Safety Week, take the opportunity to review your equipment, your training, and your readiness. Look at how hazards are managed on your farm and whether the right protective measures are in place.
If you need help identifying the right safety products for your operation, our team is ready to support you.
For tailored support or help selecting equipment for farming environments, contact Frontline Safety today.
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