Call to make safety of highest priority as eight lives lost on farms

FARMERS have been urged to make safety a high priority to reduce the surge in farm fatalities.

Eight people have lost their lives in farm-related accidents so far this year, compared with 11 for 2009.

Teagasc director Prof Gerry Boyle said, while accidents are caused by a multitude of factors, international studies indicate that human errors are involved in some 90% of the incidents.

“This suggests that the first and most immediate approach to cut the shocking toll of tragedy pain and suffering associated with farm injuries is to dramatically heighten awareness of the causes and consequences of injury,” he said.

Prof Boyle was speaking at the launch of a new Teagasc Corporate Policy which commits to provide leadership and compliance on health and safety, both within Teagasc and when providing training.

He said Teagasc is working in partnership with the Health and Safety Authority and the farm organisations to address health and safety. Specific measures being put into effect are the inclusion of a presentation on health and safety at major Teagasc events, farm discussion groups and in newsletters.

Particular attention will be paid to dairy farmers, as a recent Teagasc/HSA study showed that 58% of fatal farm accidents occurred in dairying, with just 17% of farmers engaged in the enterprise.

Teagasc will provide a FETAC-accredited Health and Safety Training course in 2010 which will be available to all farmers.

Mary Dorgan, assistant chief executive, Health and Safety Authority, said developing a national culture of safety and health needs a partnership approach involving all stakeholders. The Teagasc/Health and Safety Authority Joint Prevention Initiative is an example of this approach.

She said this initiative led to the development and evaluation of the Farm Safety Code of Practice, implemented by almost 55,000 farmers.

Ms Dorgan said completing the code’s risk assessment is a legal requirement. However, proper “buy-in” and behaviour change at farm level is crucial to the success of the approach.

Professor Jim Phelan, Dean of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, said the provision of training and education, backed up by research information, is a vital element in achieving the culture change necessary to improve on-farm health and safety.

Teagasc health and safety officer John McNamara called on farmers to proactively use the Health and Safety service provided by Teagasc.