The National Farmers Union has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of safety on quad bikes (ATVs) by highlighting simple steps to help reduce the likelihood of an accident.
News
Campaign reminds farmers how to stay safe when using ATVs
#RideSmartFarmSafe is a joint campaign from NFU Cymru, NFU Scotland, the Ulster Farmers Union, and the Welsh Farm Safety Partnership and has been backed by HSE.
Annual statistics show that ATVs remain one of the leading causes of work-related fatalities within agriculture in Great Britain.
Last year, seven people lost their lives in an incident involving an ATV, two of whom were children according to HSE statistics. In the past five years, 21 lives have been lost in agriculture due to ATV-related incidents, with on average four deaths per year.
In the past five years, 21 lives have been lost in agriculture due to ATV-related incidents. Photograph: iStock
Wayne Owen, HM Inspector of Health and Safety (Agriculture) at HSE, welcomed the campaign and said: “The number of people killed while using ATVs in recent years are a stark reality and highlight the critical need for proper training, the use of safety equipment like helmets, having a well-maintained vehicle, and adhering to safe riding practices.
“Prioritising ATV safety can help prevent avoidable fatalities and protect the lives of those working in agriculture.”
The campaign was launched for Farm Safety Week (21-25 July), a regular fixture which sees the industry raising awareness on key safety topics and championing good work.
#RideSmartFarmSafe four key messages
A – always wear a helmet
T – training
V – vehicle and maintenance checks
S – single rider
Take a 3 minute farm safety survey for the NFU - open until 4 August:
https://www.nfuonline.com/updates-and-information/farm-safety-survey/
NEWS

DwP releases new funding to get 300,000 people with long term sickness or disability back into work
By Belinda Liversedge on 08 September 2025
One in four people in Britian who are not currently working cite sickness as a barrier, a figure which has more than doubled since 2012.

Workers report having to engage in ‘emotional labour’ to remain positive, finds study on emerging technologies
By Belinda Liversedge on 29 August 2025
Emerging technologies have the potential to fundamentally reshape the world of work. These technologies can enhance productivity and, in many sectors, improve occupational safety and health (OSH) outcomes for workers. However, they may also introduce new risks that are difficult to anticipate and manage.

Lack of first aid skills leave a third of workers feeling powerless, finds St John Ambulance study
By Belinda Liversedge on 29 August 2025
Four in five employees genuinely care for colleagues, but couldn’t help them in an emergency such if they had a cardiac arrest or were severely bleeding, new research from St John Ambulance has found.