Fresh bid to cut farm deaths by half
A new safety project was launched today in a bid to halve the high number of deaths on farms.
The initiative from the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and Teagasc will ensure farmers with three or less employees implement a comprehensive farm risk assessment required under new legislation.
Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan said: “The continuing high level of farm accidents is of great concern to me, so far this year 15 deaths have taken place, this is two higher than last year’s total, to-date.”
The three-year project will back the National Farm Safety Plan’s aims to cut farm accidents by 50%.
A 10-year review of farm deaths has found 30% of accidents occurred during the winter months up to January, with 70% of people involved over 65 years.
Tom Beegan, chief executive of the HSA, said: “A 10-year review of farm deaths clearly shows that most accidents could be prevented by greater awareness and at little cost. The key requirement to improve the safety record of the sector is for farmers to give safety more commitment.”
Tractors and machinery account for 45% of fatalities over the winter months. Being crushed, rolled-over or getting caught in power drives operated in stationary positions are the major causes.
Falls and collapsing loads account for 27% of farm deaths – with other main causes including people falling from ladders or through fragile roofs. Animal attacks make up 12 per cent of deaths mainly due to people being struck by cattle. Other causes behind the deaths include 8% of fatalities from tree felling, 2% from electrocution and around 2% drowning in slurry.
Ms Coughlan urged farm families to give health and safety of all family members high priority to prevent further suffering.
The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005, which became law on September 1, simplifies the task for farmers to comply with health and safety law, Labour Affairs Minister Tony Killeen said.
The legislation sets out a Code of Practice for farmers to complete and implement the risk assessment documents.
Teagasc Director Jim Flanagan said the initiative would involve the provision of training on the new risk assessment document at courses for farmers.
The courses are to be piloted among dairy and tillage farmers in Co Cork, Clare, Donegal, Meath, Tipperary and Wexford.
