Video: The Wurzels promote farm safety with new music track

The Farm Safety Foundation has teamed up with rural band The Wurzels and students from Moreton Morrell College to produce a farm safety music track and video.

The band, popular with farmers of all ages, has re-recorded their C’ hit with lyrics to convey a serious message about the dangers of farm work.

Statistics produced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show 27 people died in farm accidents in the year to April 2014. The numerous risks involved in farming, such as working with machinery, livestock, the weather, working environment and long hours involved, make it a dangerous occupation.

“Farming is a great way of life but working long hours with huge machinery means you’ve got to keep your wits about you to stay safe,” said band member Pete Budd.

The Farm Safety Foundation is a charitable foundation that was set up in 2014 by rural insurer NFU Mutual. Trustee Rob Jones said: “Whilst our video makes for enjoyable viewing, it has a serious message – too many farmers and their families are suffering as a result of unnecessary injuries or fatalities at work.”

“We’re asking farmers of all ages to watch and share our video on their social media networks, and sign up to our safety pledge on our website. The Foundation is committed to helping farmers work more safely and we want to help young farmers to challenge poor and unsafe practices.”

They have shared the music video online and through social media, hoping to spread the message as part of their “Yellow Wellies” farm safety campaign launched last year.

 Take the safety pledge online. Farmers can also follow the initiative via @yellowwelliesuk on Twitter.

If you have a safety tip you would like to share, that might help raise awareness of the dangers of working in agriculture, then send it to jonathan.riley@rbi.co.uk. 

Every month the person who sends in the best tip for our online health and safety page will win a pair of Buckler Boots.