Lone working is more common than ever around the world, including the UK. The farming industry is a profession that often involves working long and lonely hours, but it is also a particularly dangerous lone working environment. During 2024/2025, the UK agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors were reported as the second most dangerous industries, with 23 fatal worker injuries. Agriculture is currently second only to construction in terms of dangerous industries.

Working alone only heightens the possibility of potentially fatal mishaps in the agriculture and farming sector, especially during busy periods, such as the harvesting season. Solo equipment operators in the farming and agriculture world face this challenging environment every day, which is why extra precautions are a necessity.

Both employers and employees need to know how best to stay safe in these situations, especially in an industry fraught with workplace hazards. In this article, we’re going to look at some of the most common problems that agriculture workers face when working alone, as well as how best to tackle these problems.

Common causes of solo operator injuries in farming

Below are the most frequent problems that can cause issues for workers in the farming industry. These issues can be even more dangerous for solo operators who spend most of their days working alone.

Combine and machinery accidents

One of the most common causes of accidents in the agriculture industry is the use of large, heavy machinery, such as combine harvesters, tractors or hay balers. These are powerful machines that must be operated appropriately and can become highly dangerous if used by someone without the proper training. Crushes, entanglements and even rollovers can occur with farming machinery, and the chances of fatal injuries increase all the more so for solo operators when they are unable to get help quickly.

Heat stroke and dehydration

Farming is also a profession that can lead to health risks, especially dehydration and heat stroke. Harvest season often occurs during the drier, warmer seasons, which exacerbates this problem. As well as lone agricultural workers often working outside in the heat, they can also be vulnerable to heat stroke and dehydration when inside enclosed machinery cabs.

Extended hour fatigue incidents

The harvest season is a hectic time for the farming community. Working hours can extend to much longer than usual, with workers sometimes having to work as long as 12 to 16 hours. These conditions can lead to personal health problems, most commonly exhaustion. This can also increase the risk of exhaustion-fuelled accidents for lone workers.

Seasonal workers and safety

Temporary and seasonal workers may become lone workers during their time in the farming industry, so it is imperative that they get the necessary training and support needed to work alone. This is sometimes overlooked due to the temporary nature of seasonal workers, which can lead to a number of issues and dangerous situations.

How to tackle lone worker challenges in agriculture

There are several ways that both employers and employees can work towards ensuring that solo equipment operators are kept as safe as possible. Let’s check out some of the most common ways to do this.

Implementing GPS tracking

Placing GPS trackers on the equipment and machinery that workers use is a handy way to keep lone operators safe. Telematics and GPS systems allow employers to know where a machine is at all times, but they can also alert them to unexpected stops.

Fully mobile GPS trackers can be highly effective for long-distance workers, as they can be used anywhere. Some trackers (such as those offered by SureSafe) also have built in fall detection and have communication options that allow the user to talk via the pendant.

Lone worker monitoring

Lone worker devices are specifically for the worker themselves rather than for machinery, and they are incredibly effective. These devices have alarms designed to call out for help in the case of an emergency.

When it comes to the best kinds of lone working alarms, the most effective are those with one-press SOS buttons and automatic fall detection. SOS buttons are a manual feature that can be pressed by the worker if assistance is needed.

As the name suggests, automatic fall detection is an automatic system rather than a manual one. It caters to those who are unable to press the SOS button in the case of an emergency, such as those who are unconscious.

For lone workers in the agriculture industry, such as solo equipment operators, these devices can not only be helpful, but also life-saving. An example of a trustworthy and effective lone worker alarm is the Sure Safe Lone Worker Alarm, which offers all of the above features as well as built in GPS tracking and the option of 24/7 monitoring or self-managed monitoring.

Learn more about SureSafe personal alarms for solo equipment operators

SureSafe offers these types of invaluable personal alarm systems at an affordable price. Solo workers in the farming industry can reap the benefits of these alarms to feel safe and secure no matter where they are working or how long their shift is. It’s more important than ever for all lone workers to feel safe, but also supported by their employers. Personal alarms offer a reliable and effective safety net that can make both the employer and employee feel at ease despite lonely farming environments.

SureSafe has a range of positive Trustpilot reviews as well as an extensive customer base. As an industry leader in the personal alarm field, we offer high-quality products and reassurance for employers and employees alike. For more information, give us a call on 0808 303 4541, get in touch on our live chat, or request a callback on our online form.