‘Phenomenal’ number of injuries reported on Irish farms

ireland
‘Phenomenal’ Number Of Injuries Reported On Irish Farms
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Digital Desk staff

More than 400 people, including young children, attended hospital with a trauma as a result of a farming accident between 2014 and 2016 according to new research.

The age of those injured ranged from under one years of age to 93, with the median age being 54.

A third of children injured on a farm suffered a 'blow', a quarter were hurt following a vehicle incident and 19 per cent after a low fall.

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The research from the National Office of Clinical Audit coincides with the start of Farm Safety Week, which aims to reduce the number of accidents on farms.

President of the Irish Farmers Association, Tim Cullinan, says “we hear about the deaths but the amount of injuries that take place out on farms as well is phenomenal.”

This year has seen 14 deaths so far due to accidents on farms, with 19 deaths recorded the year before.

Mr Cullinan is urging farmers not be in a hurry when carrying out their work: “Before you set out to do any task on a farm, you need to think safety... we’re all in a hurry but I think, giving that extra five minutes, just reassessing what you’re going to do, is there danger involved.”

He said special care must be taken when it comes to children and young people.

“If you have children around the farmyard, and when there is large machinery coming in to that yard, always ensure that the children are supervised.”

“To our younger people, younger drivers when they’re on the road with tractors, remember to slow down and not to be using mobile phones.”

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