Health and Safety
Farm Safety Awareness is a competence-based safety programme designed to improve learner understanding of hazards, risks and safe working practices commonly encountered within agricultural and rural working environments. The course has been developed to support farm businesses, contractors, seasonal workers, family members and those entering agricultural workplaces in developing practical awareness of workplace hazards, safe systems of work and legal responsibilities associated with farming operations.
Agriculture remains the most dangerous industry in Great Britain. The most recent HSE data (2024/25) confirms 23 worker fatalities in agriculture, forestry and fishing, with the fatality rate 22 times higher than the all-industries average. Despite representing just 1% of the workforce, the sector accounts for around 18.5% of all work-related deaths, with falls from height and contact with moving vehicles and machinery among the leading causes. This programme supports the development of proactive safety behaviours, risk awareness and workplace communication intended to reduce incidents, improve operational decision-making and promote positive safety culture within agricultural workplaces.
The programme introduces learners to relevant legislation including but not limited to:
1. Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
2. Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
3. Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
4. Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER)
5. Work at Height Regulations 2005
6. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)
7. Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
8. Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
9. Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR)
10. Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
11. Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended by the Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Amendment) Regulations 2022)
This is an awareness-level programme. The course objectives describe the minimum competence expected of learners following completion and are intentionally pitched at an introductory level, reflecting the diverse target audience of farm workers, seasonal employees, family members and those new to agricultural environments. The knowledge outcomes describe the depth and scope of content covered during delivery. Training providers must ensure that delivery reflects the full content depth indicated by the knowledge outcomes whilst maintaining realistic expectations of learner outcomes appropriate to an awareness programme.
National Occupational Standards (NOS) referenced include but are not limited to:
1. Maintaining health, safety and security within land-based industries
2. Identifying hazards and controlling risks within the workplace
3. Contributing to safe systems of work within agricultural environments
4. Maintaining effective communication and operational awareness within land-based operations
Select a county from the drop down box to find your nearest UKRS accredited training provider delivering this course.
