Minister Kelleher Launches New Child Safety Booklet at Ploughing
25th September
Minister for Labour Affairs, Mr. Billy Kelleher TD, today called on everyone in the agriculture sector to put child safety at the top of their agenda.
Minister Kelleher was speaking at the Health and Safety Authority stand at the Ploughing Championships where he launched a new booklet on Child Safety on the Farm.
According to Minister Kelleher, “There is no greater tragedy that can befall a farming family than to see a child killed or seriously injured in a farming accident. However, each year child fatalities and serious injuries occur. This intolerable situation cannot continue and I would call on everyone in the farming sector to put child safety at the top of their agenda.”
“There are obvious hazards on the farm that pose a particular risk to children, such as slurry pits, moving machinery and uncovered PTO shafts. It is vital that every farm in the country recognises these hazards and takes the relatively straight forward steps necessary to eliminate the risk, especially to children. Vigilance and awareness are critical when it comes to protecting children on farms and we’ve got to get that message across.
“I believe that the excellent book I’m launching today will make a real difference regarding child safety on the farm. I would like to congratulate the author, Lily Nolan, who has done tremendous work in this area over many years, and has produced a lively, attractive and informative book. One of the great values of this book is that farm families can read it together with their children, follow the animated stories and ensure that farm safety becomes an everyday aspect of life. I firmly believe that we can eliminate child fatalities on farms. Our goal should be nothing less.”
Pat Griffin, Senior Inspector with the Health and Safety Authority, who produced the book in conjunction with Teagasc, stated, “I would urge every farm family to get informed about the dangers facing children, take the steps to eliminate risk and ensure that children are not put in danger on the farm. The information is available from a range of sources. We need the farming community to treat child safety as a priority, that way we can work to ensure that no farm family has to endure the tragedy of a child fatality or serious injury in the future.”