Farm safety procedures have been cast in the spotlight following the deaths of two farm workers in separate accidents within the space of one week.
Two farm workers, a man in his 40s and a 58-year-old man, have died following accidents on the farm.
The man in his 40s died following an accident on a potato farm in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk on 17 April.
It is understood the man died due to an accident with a stone separator.
A Suffolk Constabulary spokesman said: “At approximately 8pm on Tuesday 17 April, officers were called to a farm in Rushbrooke, Bury St Edmunds, where a man, in his 40s, had suffered fatal injuries following an industrial incident.
“Police officers are currently leading a joint investigation with the Health and Safety Executive, although the death of the man is not being treated as suspicious.”
In the Western Isles of Scotland, a 58-year-old farmer was trampled to death by a herd of cows.
The man was found dead after working in Berneray. Emergency services were alerted to the incident near Borve Cemetery on Tuesday (24 April) morning.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has been notified. A Police Scotland spokesman said: "There are no suspicious circumstances and a report has been sent to the procurator fiscal.
"The Health and Safety Executive has also been contacted regarding the circumstances.
"Our thoughts are with the man's family and friends at this time."
Agriculture remains the most dangerous profession in the UK – yet many of the fatalities and serious injuries reported each year can be easily avoided.
Figures from the HSE have revealed that in 2016/17, agriculture had the highest rate of fatal injury, around 18 times higher than the All Industry rate.
