Get The Safety Message At The Ploughing Championships
New Child Safety Book To Be Launched At Event
24th September
The Health and Safety Authority is going all out to promote the safety and health message at the Ploughing Championships in Tullamore next week.
Two key themes this year are child safety and safety for elderly farmers.
According to Health and Safety Authority Senior Inspector, Pat Griffin,
“Agriculture is the only economic sector where children are often killed or seriously injured. It’s an intolerable situation and everyone involved in agriculture must do everything in their power to eliminate the risk of child fatalities or injury on the farm.
“The Health and Safety Authority, together with Lily Nolan of Teagasc, who has worked tirelessly on farm safety issues for many years, have developed a new child safety book which will be launched and distributed free at the Ploughing Championships. The illustrated book follows the story of a dog called Jesse and her three puppies as they encounter hazards on the farm. We hope that farming families will read the book with their children and ensure that the safety message gets across in a fun and engaging way. The book will be launched on Tuesday at the Ploughing Championships by Minister for Labour Affairs, Billy Kelleher, TD.”
Safety for older farmers will also be high on the Authority’s agenda at the Ploughing Championships.
“In recent years there has been a dramatic increase in the number of elderly farmers suffering fatal accidents on the farm. In 2006 eight people, aged 70 or over, died in farm-related accidents. Hundreds more suffered injuries. It situation is of serious concern and Authority inspectors will be on hand at the Ploughing Championship to highlight the issue and distribute our leaflet on safety and elderly farmers.”
The Health and Safety Authority stand at the Ploughing Championships, in association with the Farm Safety Partnership, will also feature machinery safety demonstrations and advice on the Code of Practice for the Agriculture sector, a key safety document which the Authority sent to 160,000 farmers last year.
“The Ploughing Championships are a key event in the agricultural calendar. This year the Authority, together with our partners in the Farm Safety Partnership, has a really attractive, informative stand. I would urge everyone who visits the Ploughing Championships to drop in and get informed. Agriculture remains one of the most dangerous occupations in the Ireland and everyone needs to get the safety message,” concluded Pat Griffin.
Ends.
For more information contact Paul Daly, Press Office at 087-2235187