Almost 60% of farmers have not completed Farm Safety Code of Practice
National safety conference hears calls for farmers to take “personal responsibility” for their safety
Friday 14th August.
Farmers were today (Friday 14th August) urged to complete the Farm Safety Code of Practice as the key approach to improving the safety and health record of the sector. Pat Griffin, Senior Inspector with the Health and Safety Authority made the call at a national farm safety conference where farmers and their representative bodies were gathered to examine strategies to improve the poor safety and health record on farms.
Mr. Griffin stated that the development of the Farm Safety Code of Practice was a major step forward for the sector but was very concerned at a national survey undertaken by Teagasc which shows that almost two thirds of farmers have not completed the Code. “It’s quite clear that many farmers are showing little or no regard for the Farm Safety Code of Practice. A copy of the Code was sent to every farmer in the country and there’s simply no excuse for such a low compliance rate,” he said.
“Farmers must take personal responsibility for their own safety and health. The low usage of the Farm Safety Code indicates a very worrying lack of engagement with what is a practical and easily implementable preventative system, a system that saves lives and helps avoid horrific injuries. Authority inspectors have investigated appalling tragedies on farms, many involving young children, and it just cannot continue. The fact is that the vast majority of accidents occurring on farms are preventable and the Farm Safety Code along with training and follow up action can have a very significant impact in this regard.”
Mr. John McNamara, Health and Safety Officer with Teagasc, stated that research clearly shows that if farmers are not fully ‘switched on’ to health and safety management, standards and practices tend to be unsatisfactory. He added that completing the Farm Safety Code of Practice is the most effective way for farmers to focus on the key farm management issues to prevent injury and ill health.
According to McNamara, “This year Teagasc will provide 100 half-day courses around the country to assist farmers to complete the Farm Safety Code. Teagasc advisers understand the day-to-day difficulties in running a farm and work with farmers in a practical way. However, no one can ignore the fact that farming is a dangerous work activity and farmers must change their attitudes and get out of the ‘it will never happen to me’ mindset that is all too common.”
Farming consistently accounts for a third of all workplace deaths annually and up to 1,800 serious injuries take place in the sector each year. In 2008, 21 farm deaths out of a total of 57 for all work sectors occurred. This is in the context that farming employs approximately 6% of the workforce making it the most dangerous sector in which to work. Farmers should contact their local Teagasc office for details on the Farm Safety Code training programmes.