Farm safety certificate should become mandatory, says consultant

FARMERS should be obliged to attain a safe farm certification similar to the construction sector’s Safe Pass, according to one farm safety expert.

Dublin-based agricultural consultant Richard Hackett said the pass could be voluntary for its first two years, but should then become mandatory if agreed targets were not met. This was one of the principle conclusions of a study Dr Hackett has just completed on behalf of the National Rural Network.

He also advocates an awareness campaign similar to that conducted on road safety, to highlight the risks of death and injury in farming.