IFA warns of seasonal farm dangers

FARMERS were urged yesterday to take special care during the current busy period on their farms.

IFA Farm Family Committee chairwoman Mary Sherry said following the recent bad weather, Easter will be a particularly busy time on farms, as it traditionally is with the sowing of many crops and other farming activities.

She urged all young people on holidays, who may be present on a farm during Easter, to take special care whether they are helping or visiting.

“The nature of the family farm, the complexity of modern farm machinery and changing farming systems mean that many things can go wrong.

“Busy periods like Easter time can be particularly dangerous because of the level of activity on farms and presence of children on holidays,” she said.

Ms Sherry urged farmers to implement the code of practice for preventing injury and occupational ill health in agriculture.

Ms Sherry called on all farmers to identify hazards on the farm and exercise caution at all times.

Her comments follow the recent confirmation that 18 of 50 reported workplace fatalities last year were on farms. An estimated 3,000 people are also injured in the agri-sector annually.

A Government and Health and Safety Authority (HSA) campaign has been launched to highlight dangers at farm level. A copy of the agriculture code of practice from the HSA was sent to farmers nationwide.