WEARING a helmet whilst on your ATV could prevent severe brain injuries in the event of an accident – but many farmers continue to ignore that advice and take to the hills and roads without protective head gear. Each year in Scotland, around one thousand farmers are admitted to hospital with head injuries which could have been avoided.

The constituency of South of Scotland MSP Emma Harper has the second highest level of head injuries in Scotland, which campaigners believe is partly attributable to accidents on farms. That is why Ms Harper launched the #hingyerhelmet campaign, in tandem with Compass Brain Injury Specialists Ltd, NFU Scotland and SRUC, to encourage farmers to wear a helmet whilst riding their quad bikes.

Ms Harper explained: “Farmers need to be aware of the severity of brain injuries which can have a debilitating impact on the rest of their lives. In some cases, farmers will not be able to return to work, causing serious financial strain on top of unnecessary physical and mental distress.

“Some farms will cease to operate, leading to a halt in food production. Brain injuries are often referred to as the hidden injury as they are so often pushed to the side,” said Ms Harper, who has spent most of her working life as a nurse, dealing regularly with brain injuries.

Owen Fielding from Dumfries-based Compass Brain Injury Specialists commented: “I have lived in rural parts of Dumfries and Galloway since 1996 and used to work on farms.

"To date, I have only seen one farmer wearing a helmet while using a quad bike, despite many farmers using their quad vehicle on roads to access their fields; seemingly oblivious to the fact that they are putting their own lives and wellbeing at risk,” he continued.

“Helmets can and do save lives and prevent serious injury. Farmers are thrown regularly from quadbikes but aren’t aware they get concussions. Stories are the plural of culture – the more we can share stories surrounding helmet safety the more treatment will become more visible,” he concluded.

Emma Harper has praised NFU Scotland for adopting a new policy whereby they will no longer use photos, videos and advertisements of farmers riding quad bikes unless a helmet is worn.

NFU Scotland President Andrew McCornick commented: “Agriculture remains as the most dangerous industries to work in across the UK. We have been working to raise awareness of simple measures farmers, crofters and their workers, can take to prevent accidents, and as part of that, wearing a helmet on a quad bike is a priority,” he explained. “ATVs can be dangerous machines, and it is imperative that those working in the industry take care when using them.