 Deaths involving farm transport are the most common |
Farmers are more likely to get killed than workers in any other industry in Wales, according to the Health and Safety Executive. Its latest figures show that five people involved in agriculture, and one in forestry, died between April last year and this March in Wales - two more than 2002/03.
The HSE said most of the accidents farmers and other self-employed people suffered involved transport.
It claimed that farmers were "unnecessary risk takers" who cut corners when they were under pressure.
 |  With agriculture you're more likely to be killed at work  |
The HSE has launched a Tractor Action Pack, which illustrates the dangers of using machinery, in a bid to cut the death toll.
Helping to highlight the problems at the Royal Welsh Show, Steve Coppell, the HSE's head of operations in Wales, said: "With agriculture you're more likely to be killed at work.
"We will continue to work with our stakeholders such as the Welsh assembly, Government agencies, agricultural colleges, farming unions, Lantra and Farming Connect, which can influence farmers to improve risk control."
Commitment
 Steve Coppell (left) and Dr Roger Nourish launch the tractor action pack |
Dr Roger Nourish, head of the HSE's agriculture and food sector, said: "I regret that I have to report an increase in fatal accidents in Welsh farming.
"Last year HSE stated its commitment to reduce needless deaths on Welsh farms by appealing to communities and families to work with us. Clearly there is still much to be done.
"Farmers are unnecessary risk takers and when under pressure they will take risks.
"They have not got the message and continue taking short cuts."
Dr Nourish added that the cost of accidents to farmers and farm workers in Wales during 2003/04 was approximately �20.9m.
"Families need to get together and ask those who work outside what they're doing each day and how they intend to come back safe," Dr Nourish added.
"Sensible health and safety is about managing risks, not eliminating all risk, and farmers are the best-placed to do this."
Alan Morris of the Farmers' Union of Wales said: "We advise our members that they have to put safety first at all time.
"We are concerned by the increase in the amount of those killed on farms.
"We will continue to work with the HSE to advise farmers how to protect themselves at work."
Among the those who died on farms last year was an eight-year-old boy who was crushed under the wheels of a reversing forklift truck.
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