Figures published by the Health and Safety Executive reveal that over the past decade almost 80 men, women and children have died on Scottish farms and significantly more have been badly injured as a result of farming activities.
That brings a catalogue of heartbreak and misery to numerous Scottish families and rural communities each year.
Launched at the Black Isle Show at Muir of Ord, the Farm Safety Scotland Partnership is aimed at reducing the dreadful toll.
NFU Scotland, NFU Mutual, HSE and Scottish Government have jointly produced a new campaign leaflet, Working Together to Save Lives.
The statistics tell a sad tale.
Over the last decade, 13 people have been killed on Scottish farms by falls when working at heights; nine people have been killed in incidents involving livestock; 26 people have been killed when their vehicles have overturned or they have been struck by a moving vehicle and six people have been killed when they came into contact with working machinery or equipment.
At the launch of the partnership, Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “Our men and women working in the farming industry to bring food to our tables do so in often hazardous conditions and this can sometimes have tragic consequences.
“Every single tragedy is one too many and it is, therefore, essential that everyone working in the industry understands the risks and takes every available precaution to stay as safe as possible.
“By raising awareness and providing safety information and tips, the Farm Safety Partnership Scotland has the potential to save lives and prevent injury and I very much welcome this partnership initiative.”
NFU Scotland vice-president Allan Bowie added: “Tragic incidents in the past few days across the UK and Ireland remind everyone that farms can be dangerous places so it is important that everyone on a farm takes the necessary steps so that they can stay safe while farming.
“The Farm Safety Partnership intends to change behaviours and attitudes by promoting the steps that can be done to reduce the risks of common farm jobs.
“Most people will be able to recall a close-call situation that could so easily have resulted in serious injury or even fatality.
“By adopting some simple steps as part of everyday working practices, we can reduce the number of accidents and deaths on Scotland’s farms.”
Martin Malone, Scotland manager of major rural insurer NFU Mutual, said he believed the new Scotland Farm Safety Partnership would provide a focus for organisations involved in agriculture to work together and use their combined skills and experience to produce a less dangerous working environment.
Although other industries, including construction, have seen accidents fall sharply in recent years, the number of people killed and injured on our farms has remained high and farming is now the most dangerous occupation in Britain.
Following the launch of the partnership, its founder members and leaders of key farming organisations signed a pair of nine-feet tall yellow wellington boots, which are the symbol of the Farm Safety Foundation, set up by NFU Mutual to show its support for the initiative.
The Health and Safety Executive report Fatal Injuries in farming and horticulture and fish farming in Scotland 2003/04 to 2013/14 will be available to download at the HSE website as will a new guide for farmers and their staff, entitled Farm Safety Partnership Scotland Don’t Leave it to FATE.
The guide will also be available on the front page of the NFU Scotland website.