Safety initiatives launched at National Ploughing Championships
Tuesday 23rd September
The Minister for Labour Affairs Mr. Billy Kelleher T.D. today (Tuesday 23rd September) launched two initiatives aimed at reducing accidents on farms at the National Ploughing Championships in Cuffesgrange, Co. Kilkenny. The Minister was visiting the Health and Safety Authority's exhibit (Farm Safety Village) at the National Ploughing Championships where he announced that a major safety training programme for farmers in the Farm Safety Code of Practice will re-commence in October of this year. The training will be provided by Teagasc and is supported by the Health and Safety Authority.
The second initiative is a competition for primary school students to provide the wording for a farm safety poster campaign. This is a local initiative involving primary school children from over 142 schools in the Kilkenny, Carlow and Tipperary area.
The fatal accident rate in agriculture is the highest across all economic sectors with the elderly and children on the farm most at risk. According to Minister Kelleher safety training can have a significant impact in reducing accidents. "I would encourage all farmers who have not yet availed of the Teagasc safety training course to do so over the coming months. By studying accident trends in other sectors we have seen that even basic safety training can significantly reduce the chances of having an accident at work. I am fully behind any initiative that will improve the safety and health of farmers," he stated.
Martin O'Halloran, Chief Executive of the Health and Safety Authority said that there is a legal requirement to comply with safety and health legislation and getting safety training will assist farmers in doing so. According to Mr. O'Halloran, "By attending these practical training sessions on how to use the farm safety code, farmers will be more aware of the dangers they face on the farm every day and how to fulfil their responsibilities under health and safety law". He added, "Following the code could prevent a serious injury or even save your life or the life of a loved one and it is vital that all farmers treat this with the priority it deserves."
Fifteen people have died in farm accidents this year bringing to more than 150 the numbers killed on Irish farms since the year 2000.