Farmer warns 'one incident can change your life' ahead of Farm Safety Week

"An incident can change your entire life in a blink of an eye and I am incredibly lucky to be alive."

Mr Wilson was speaking from his hospital bed as the latest Health and Safety Executive (HSE) figures revealed agriculture still accounted for 20 per cent of all fatalities in the workplace, despite the number of deaths falling slightly last year.

Address

Now in its eight year, the Farm Safety Foundation’s Farm Safety Week hopes to highlight the work being done to address the industry’s poor safety record through its latest initiative, ’It is Time to Take Safety Seriously’.

It encourages farmers to take safety seriously each and every day through a united approach, involving partners from Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales.

Stephanie Berkeley, Farm Safety Foundation manager, said: "Farmers are starting to make decisions that are in their broad self-interest and in the interest of staying safe and staying alive.

"Young farmers are coming into the industry with improved attitudes to working safely.

"More farmers are being open about looking after their physical and mental well-being and using technology, learning business skills and taking innovative steps to make their farm businesses safe, resilient and sustainable.

"Farm Safety Week may be one week in the year but the Farm Safety Foundation is working all year round to educate, engage and communicate strong and relatable farm safety messages and deliver this change."