Pledge to tackle farm accidents among young and elderly

PREVENTING farm accidents that involve children and elderly people will be two key themes of the Health and Safety Authority at the three-day National Ploughing Championships which begin today in Tullamore, Co Offaly.

One in five farm deaths in the past 10 years have involved children. There has also been an increase in the number of elderly people being killed in farm accidents in recent years.

The Health and Safety Authority will highlight the risks associated with farming and the steps that can be taken to prevent fatalities and serious injuries occurring through accidents.