Farming organizations throughout the UK have come together to raise urgent awareness about the dangers linked to ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) usage, calling on farmers and landowners to adopt vital safety practices as farm accidents continue to rise.
The National Farmers Union (NFU), NFU Cymru, NFU Scotland, and the Ulster Farmers’ Union have partnered with the Welsh Farm Safety Partnership to bring attention to the hazards that come with improper handling of ATVs.
This issue is becoming increasingly critical, with nearly 600 farm-related incidents reported in the last year alone, according to data from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
ATVs, including popular quad bikes, remain indispensable tools on farms—used for tasks like livestock checks and moving equipment. However, their widespread presence also brings substantial dangers when safety precautions are neglected.
Additionally, the use of ATVs and quads on equestrian properties—often operated alone—poses extra risks. These vehicles can be unpredictable around horses, potentially spooking the animals and leading to accidents for both riders and equestrians.
To combat these risks, farming unions are urging all farmers and agricultural workers across the UK to adopt straightforward but crucial safety measures every time they use an ATV.
This campaign is part of Farm Safety Week 2025, taking place from July 21 to 25 and led by the Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies).
Farming has been identified by the charity as the most dangerous profession in the UK, responsible for one in five workplace fatalities despite making up just 1% of the workforce.
As part of their initiative, the four unions have introduced the ATV safety checklist, symbolized by the acronym ‘ATVS’:
-
A – Always wear a helmet
-
T – Training is vital
-
V – Vehicle maintenance and checks
-
S – Single rider only
Together, the farming unions stress the urgent need to tackle the ongoing hazards posed by all-terrain vehicles on farms and equestrian settings to prevent further tragedies.