Farmers in denial of death risks

FARMERS are in denial of their safety risks, and they ignore the dangers of their profession, said Tom Beegan, Chief Executive of the Health and Safety Authority, as he issued an urgent warning to all farmers to be extra cautious.

He said farming is one of the most dangerous occupations, and farms are the only workplace where children are consistently the victims of accidents.

Farming topped the workplace fatalities toll last year with 20 deaths, and there had already been seven deaths in 2004, when Mr Beegan issued his warning. According to the Central Statistics Office, 4,800 people were injured in farm related activities in 12 months.