Seminars planned to highlight high rates of fatalities on farms

A NUMBER of seminars are to be held by the Health and Safety Authority and Teagasc in areas with high rates of farm fatalities.

Fatal accidents on farms increased nationally from 11 in 2007 to 21 last year, almost a 100% rise.

Farming accounted for about 40% of all workplace fatalities in 2008 even though just over 6% of the workforce is employed in the sector.

A national study indicates that high and continuing levels of farm workplace deaths now highlight national blackspots.

The Health and Safety Authority and Teagasc as part of its Joint Prevention Initiative, in association with the Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee, plan to hold seminars in Cork, Cavan, Tipperary and Westmeath.

Each of the seminars is open to all farmers, farm leaders, contractors and anyone with an interest in farm safety and health.

The seminars are free of charge.

The aim is to highlight the high fatal accident rates in these areas and to seek solutions with the farming community.

Seminars will be held at Tipperary Teagasc Centre, Nenagh (March 4), Clonakilty Agricultural College (March 5), Westmeath Teagasc Centre, Mullingar (March 10), and Ballyhaise Agricultural College, Co Cavan, (March 11).

People can ensure their free place at the (2pm to 4pm) seminars by simply contacting the Teagasc office venue and confirming their intention to attend.

Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith said recently the farming sector has a relatively poor record in relation to fatalities and serious injury caused by the improper use of farm equipment and machinery or disregard for the safety of the operator and others.

Health and Safety Authority (HSA) figures indicated that 122 of the 21 people killed in farming-related accidents in 2008 were directly caused by machinery.

This represents an increase of 10 fatalities when compared with the 2007 report from the HSA.

This increase is very worrying and farmers cannot be complacent when it comes to the safety of themselves or their families.

Mr Smith said farmers should be aware they are legally obliged to ensure their farms are a safe place to work. All farms should have an up-to-date safety statement or risk assessment document to comply with the health and safety regulations.