Farm Safety Week will return from 20 to 24 July, bringing renewed focus to workplace health and safety across the agricultural sector through awareness campaigns, practical guidance and targeted inspection activity.

Featured by Farming Life, the annual initiative is organised by the Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies) and aims to encourage safer working practices while raising awareness of the health and safety challenges faced by the farming community.

The 2026 campaign coincides with a targeted inspection programme by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI), which will focus on working at height during common seasonal activities, including farm building maintenance, roof repairs, silage clamp preparation and tree work.

Inspectors will assess compliance with workplace safety requirements while providing practical advice to help farms improve safety standards and reduce risks associated with working at height.

According to the Farm Safety Foundation, agriculture represents around one per cent of the working population but continues to account for a disproportionately high number of workplace fatalities. HSENI has also identified falls from height as one of the sector's most significant safety risks, reinforcing the importance of preventative measures during routine farm operations.

As part of the campaign, farmers are encouraged to use appropriate equipment, ensure it is properly maintained, consider safer methods of carrying out work, use collective protection measures where possible and engage competent contractors for higher-risk activities.

Farm Safety Week continues to promote a proactive approach to workplace safety by encouraging employers and workers to plan tasks carefully, assess potential hazards and adopt safer working practices throughout the agricultural industry.

The campaign highlights the continued importance of education, risk awareness and compliance in supporting safer workplaces while helping the farming sector strengthen its long-term health and safety culture.