Recognising the Challenges Faced by Older Farmers

Farming is a deeply fulfilling way of life. However, it is not without its perils, and this can particularly be the case for older farmers. The Health and Safety Authority’s data on fatal accidents from 2013 to 2022 sheds light on a concerning trend: older farmers and older residents on family farms are disproportionately at risk.

Over this period, a total of 191 lives were lost in farm accidents, with 47 per cent of these fatalities occurring among individuals aged 65 or older.
An additional 19 per cent fell within the age group of 55 to 65. The leading causes of fatal accidents for those aged 65 and above were attributed to vehicles (40 per cent), cattle incidents (26 per cent), falls (13 per cent), loads falling (10 per cent), and drowning (6 per cent). Older farmers can be slower to recover from injuries and may be less likely to survive the injuries they sustain in the event of a serious accident.

The physical capabilities of older farmers vary by individual. While some maintain strength, flexibility, hearing and eyesight well beyond the age of 65, others can experience decline. Nonetheless, older farmers can continue to be valuable contributors to operations on the farm, provided they and their families recognise age-related risk factors and adapt working practices accordingly. FBD is urging farmers to proactively acknowledge key age-related risk factors in their farm-safety management. 

Age-Related Risk Factors

Strength: Ageing often brings a decrease in muscle strength, leading to changes in posture that heighten the risk of sprains and strains. Farmers also may compensate for decreased physical capabilities by adopting unsafe work practices or taking shortcuts in established safe procedures.

Mobility: Reduced mobility can pose a challenge for older farmers, hindering their ability to swiftly move out of the way of imminent dangers.

Vision: Declining vision, exacerbated by inadequate lighting in various work settings (such as in fields at dusk or at night, or inside dimly lit sheds), can compromise the ability to recognise objects clearly.

Hearing: Normal age-related hearing loss, coupled with prolonged exposure to noisy farm environments, for example tractors, farm machinery, and confined livestock, can mean an older farmer may not be able to hear the warning signs of an approaching hazard.

Illness and disease: Age-related medical conditions like arthritis can reduce mobility, affecting the ability to navigate climbing up and down from machinery and livestock-related tasks. Prescription medications may further impact reaction time in a dangerous situation.

To mitigate these risks, older farmers are encouraged to:

Conduct thorough risk assessments to highlight hazards and associated risks before engaging in activities involving tractors, machinery, livestock, or working at heights. 

Use well-maintained livestock handling facilities including calving gates.

Ensure farm vehicles and machinery are maintained in safe operating condition.

Regularly evaluate personal capabilities. Before each job ask yourself the following: Can I carry out this job safely? Do I need to get help? Do I need to engage a specialist contractor e.g. for work at height or building repair? Do I have the appropriate equipment and facilities to carry out the work safely?

Inform someone about where you are going and carry a mobile phone while farming.

The key message is clear, getting older doesn’t necessitate retirement from farming. Older individuals bring invaluable experience and knowledge to family farms. Grandparents, in particular, can play a crucial role in imparting farm safety wisdom to the younger generation.

In conclusion, the path to safer farming involves acknowledging and addressing the unique challenges faced by older farmers. By prioritising safety and implementing preventive measures, we can ensure that the agricultural way of life remains both fulfilling and secure for generations to come. 

Always think, safety first!

Statistics: Health and Safety Authority fatal accident data 2013-2022.