Agriculture is one of the UK’s proudest industries, but also one of its most dangerous.
While UK farmers are widely regarded as among the best in the world, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reports that farming represents just 1% of the UK workforce but 18% of all workplace fatalities. In 2021/2022 alone, 25 people tragically lost their lives on British farms.
These statistics aren’t just numbers. They represent families, communities, and futures devastated by avoidable incidents. That’s why Farm Safety Week matters — and why it’s more urgent than ever.
About the Farm Safety Foundation
The Farm Safety Foundation (also known as Yellow Wellies) is an independent, award-winning charity established by NFU Mutual in 2014. Its mission? To challenge risk-taking behaviours, promote safe practices, and support both the physical and mental wellbeing of farmers across the UK.
Through national campaigns like Farm Safety Week and Mind Your Head, as well as a trailblazing education programme that has reached over 21,000 young farmers, the Foundation is working hard to reduce risk, change culture, and ultimately help create a future where no one dies from avoidable incidents on farm.
At its core, the Foundation is about people, because safe farms mean safe communities.
Kersia UK’s Commitment to Farm Safety
At Kersia UK, we are proud to support the Farm Safety Foundation and its mission to protect lives. While we’re best known for our expertise in environmental biosecurity, parlour hygiene, udder health, and disease control, our approach to farm safety extends well beyond products.
We are committed to helping farmers create safer, healthier environments; for people, livestock, and the planet. That includes supporting best practices for the safe handling, decanting, and storage of hygiene chemicals, where the risk of accidents is often underestimated.
Spotlight on Connie Yates
This week, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on Connie Yates, our Ruminant Area Sales Manager, who covers Yorkshire, Northumberland, Cumbria, and Scotland.
With a background in chemistry, passion for agriculture and experience in analytics at Greggs, Connie brings a deep-rooted passion for helping others into every interaction with her farming customers. Her knowledge, empathy, and commitment make her a trusted advisor on everything from hygiene management to on-farm chemical safety.
Connie has been out on farm throughout Farm Safety Week, raising awareness of the importance of proper protocols around hygiene products. Her work directly contributes to reducing chemical-related incidents on farm and reinforces our shared goal of zero avoidable deaths.
Let’s Change the Record
Farm safety is everyone’s responsibility. From manufacturers and suppliers to educators and farmers themselves, we all have a part to play in creating a safer future for agriculture.
At Kersia, we’ll continue doing our part; supporting environmental biosecurity, promoting best practices, and working alongside partners like the Farm Safety Foundation to ensure every farm is a safe one.
Learn more about the Farm Safety Foundation and their work at: www.yellowwellies.org
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