Give farm safety priority - Teagasc

Teagasc education officer Leo Sharkey called on farmers in Cavan and Monaghan to give health and safety top priority in 2010. He made his call following the release of figures by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) for January showing that there were three farm deaths this January. A national study by Teagasc and the HSA over the 15 years 1993-2007 indicated that the majority of deaths were associated with tractors, farm vehicles and machinery (45%) followed by livestock (14%), falls (11%), drowning (9%), collapse of objects (7%), timber related (4%), electrocution (4%), gas poisoning (2%) and other (4%). Over the study period a 110% increase in the average number of farmers aged more than 60 years occurred while the average number of farm deaths among those younger than 45 reduced by 68%. In the 40-59 age category an increase of 7% in farm deaths occurred. Mr. Sharkey says a different trend had emerged since 2008: a lower percentage of fatal accidents to farmers over the age of 65 (20%) and a much higher percentage in the 16-65-year (60%) and U16 categories (20%). High risk months The study revealed that January and March are particularly high risk months and account for 20% of all fatalities. The high workloads during these months are a contributory factor to high accident levels. In January, 62% of farm deaths are due to tractor and machinery operation, mainly in the farmyard, and slurry drowning, falls from roofs and animal attacks each account for 13% of fatalities. The safety of older farmers merited particular attention in January as 62% of accident victims were over 65. Cavan Cavan in common with counties in the north east, has a fatal accident level about 52% higher that the national average per head of farming population. Accidents were associated mainly with tractor and machinery use (50%), followed by bull attacks (20%), falls, mainly from heights (20%) and a slurry drowning (7%). Mr. Sharkey stated that this information should motivate farmers to put safety to the fore. Courses Teagasc in Cavan and Monaghan will continue its programme of providing half-day training courses on completion of the Farm Safety Code of Practice. Mr. Sharkey pointed out that it is a legal requirement to conduct a Safety Risk Assessment as part of complying with the Code of Practice and farmers had found that attending a half-day training course an encouragement and benefit to focus on the matter. There is a safety course in Teagasc Ballyhaise College on Tuesday, March 9 at 2pm. Contact your Teagasc office for information and to book a place. • The IFA Farm Family chairwoman Elizabeth Tilson reminded farmers that they can complete a risk assessment at farmsafely.com.