Safety authority begins blitz of farm checks in bid to reduce accidents

A TWO-week blitz of farm inspections by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) began yesterday in an effort to reduce the number of accidents that occur in agriculture each year.

So far this year there have been five work-related deaths on farms, accounting for 50% of all workplace deaths.

The HSA said the fact that farming employs just 6% of the workforce makes it all the more concerning. Last year, accidents in the sector accounted for 21 deaths and nearly 2,000 injuries.