There were four fatal farm accidents in NI during 2020, the Health and Safety Executive for NI (HSENI) has confirmed.

The total number of farm fatalities is up from one fatal accident the year before, but is lower than the eight farm deaths that were recorded during 2018.

In the Republic of Ireland, there were 19 fatalities on farms during 2020, which is the same total as the 2019 calendar year.

Over the last 10 years, 69 people have died as a result of accidents on NI farms. The worst years for farm fatalities in NI during the last decade were 2011 and 2012, when 12 people died during each year.

A spokesperson for HSENI said that the number of fatal accidents on NI farms last year was “four too many”.

“HSENI would like to remind the farming community of the dangers involved in everyday farm activity and the potential consequences if the proper safety measures are not implemented,” the spokesperson said.

To raise awareness of farm safety, HSENI recently launched the “farm safe essential” campaign to highlight the key causes of accidents on local farms.

The four themes are titled “No Brakes, No Chance”, “Plan Safe Spaces”, “Give Slurry Space” and “Stay Off Roofs”. More advice on farm safety is available on the HSENI website.