Ireland's Health and Safety Authority (HSA) have announced, as part of their Farm Safety Campaign, that 500 proactive examinations nationwide are to take place, in a bid to cut the death toll within the farming community.
HSA's figures show the following trend in Ireland's farm fatalities:
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This year alone (2006) there have been already been 4 deaths.
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In 2005, a total of 18 deaths occurred in the farming sector.
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Over the past 3 year period, 50% of fatalities involved people over the age of 65 years.
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Children were involved in some 20% of Irish farm deaths.
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There are over 3,000 accidents which cause injury each year on Irish farms.
Pat Griffin, Senior Inspector with the HSA, said:
"Accidents in agriculture are predictable and preventable.
“Farmers should take just 5 or 10 minutes each day to consider farm safety and put things right before carrying out their work.
“It may save their life or the life of a family member or close friend.”
Included in the HSA Farm Safety Campaign are the following:
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Continuing the Authority’s national TV advertising campaign.
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A safety advertisement aired in marts nationwide via Farm TV.
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Distribution of a farm safety DVD.
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Rolling out the Authority’s Farm Self assessment system.
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Using the Farm Safety Partnership to spread the safety message through its affiliate organisations.
Further information for the farming sector can be accessed from the HSA Website, by clicking the following:
HSA Agriculture & Forestry Webpage
Article by Alexandra Johnston
