Guide
Farm safety in Northern Ireland: HSENI requirements
HSENI's farm safety requirements for Northern Ireland, which has the highest agricultural fatality rate in the UK. Covers the main risks (falls, livestock, machinery, slurry), practical safety steps, the Farm Safety Partnership, and what HSENI expects from farm businesses.
Northern Ireland has the highest rate of farm fatalities per agricultural worker in the UK. Agriculture is HSENI's number one enforcement priority, and farm inspections are frequent and thorough. If you run a farm in Northern Ireland, understanding what HSENI expects and taking practical safety measures is not optional: it is the difference between a safe working farm and a tragedy.
This guide covers the main risks that cause death and serious injury on NI farms, the practical steps HSENI expects you to take, and where to get support.
The main risks on NI farms
Falls from height
Falls from roofs, ladders, and elevated platforms are a leading cause of farm deaths in Northern Ireland. Fragile roof materials on older farm buildings are particularly dangerous. Never walk on asbestos cement or corrugated sheeting without proper staging and edge protection. Use scaffolding or mobile elevated work platforms for any work at height, and always use a harness when work above 2 metres cannot be avoided.
Livestock handling
Cattle cause more deaths and serious injuries on NI farms than any other single hazard. Bulls, freshly calved cows, and animals being moved are the highest risk. Use properly designed handling facilities with crush, race, and gates. Never enter a pen with a bull on foot without an escape route. Keep children away from livestock at all times.
Machinery
Power take-off (PTO) shafts are one of the most dangerous features on any farm. Contact with an unguarded PTO shaft is almost always fatal. Every PTO shaft must have a properly fitted and maintained guard. Tractors must have roll-over protective structures (ROPS) and seatbelts fitted. Never carry passengers on tractors or machinery not designed for them.
Slurry
Slurry gases (particularly hydrogen sulphide) are lethal. Every year in the UK, people die from slurry gas exposure. The risk is highest during agitation, when gases are released rapidly. Never enter a slurry tank or confined space without proper training, equipment, and a rescue plan. Keep children and animals away from open slurry stores. Ensure adequate ventilation when agitating slurry in or near buildings.
Maintenance and repairs
Poorly maintained equipment, makeshift repairs, and working alone are recurring factors in farm incidents. Ensure all machinery is maintained to manufacturer specifications. Never work under raised equipment without proper supports. Tell someone where you are working and when you expect to finish.
What HSENI expects from farm businesses
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1. Carry out a farm risk assessment
Identify the hazards on your farm and assess who might be harmed and how. HSENI provides a free farm risk assessment template specifically for NI farms. Focus on the five key areas: falls from height, livestock, machinery, slurry, and maintenance. Write down your findings if you employ five or more people (good practice even if you employ fewer).
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2. Maintain safe systems of work
For each significant hazard, establish a safe way of working and ensure everyone on the farm follows it. This includes safe livestock handling procedures, PTO guarding checks before use, slurry agitation protocols, and rules for working at height. Review these procedures after any incident or near miss.
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3. Guard all PTO shafts and moving parts
Check every PTO shaft on the farm. Replace any missing or damaged guards immediately. An unguarded PTO shaft spinning at 540 rpm can entangle clothing and pull a person in within a fraction of a second. This is non-negotiable. HSENI can and does issue prohibition notices for unguarded PTOs.
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4. Ensure adequate training
Everyone working on the farm, including family members, must know how to work safely with the equipment and animals they handle. Consider formal training courses through CAFRE (College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise) or other accredited providers. Keep records of all training.
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5. Manage child safety on farms
Children are at particular risk on farms. Keep children under 13 away from farm work entirely. Children aged 13-16 may carry out light agricultural work but must not operate machinery, handle livestock, or work at height. Never allow children near slurry stores, silage pits, or working machinery.
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6. Maintain tractors and machinery
Ensure all tractors have ROPS (roll-over protective structures) and functioning seatbelts. Keep all guarding in place. Service machinery according to manufacturer schedules. Replace worn or damaged parts before use. Never bypass safety devices.
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7. Plan for emergencies
Have a plan for dealing with accidents, including first aid arrangements, emergency contact numbers, and how to reach remote parts of the farm. Ensure a first aid kit is accessible and that someone on the farm has current first aid training.
The Farm Safety Partnership
HSENI leads the Farm Safety Partnership in Northern Ireland, working with the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU), the National Farmers' Union Mutual, CAFRE, and other organisations to promote farm safety. The partnership runs awareness campaigns, provides free resources, and organises farm safety events across Northern Ireland.
Resources available through the partnership include farm safety action plans, risk assessment templates, guidance leaflets on specific hazards (slurry, PTOs, livestock), and information about training courses. HSENI's farm safety team can also provide free advisory visits before a formal inspection occurs.
What happens next
Complete a risk assessment for your farm using HSENI's template. Address the highest-risk items first: unguarded PTOs, fragile roofs, slurry safety, and livestock handling facilities. Keep records of the actions you take. If HSENI inspects your farm, evidence that you have assessed risks and taken practical steps will be viewed positively, even if further improvements are needed.