Insurers could refuse to pay out to unsafe farms

MAJOR legal issues have been raised over accident insurance cover on farms where safety statements were not in place, or where known accident risks had not been removed.

Farmers have been told that insurance companies are now within their rights to refuse to pay compensation arising as a result of an accident on a farm where a farm safety statement was not in place.

Safety Systems Consultant John Hurley told a meeting of Limerick IFA at Adare, Co Limerick that farms are seen as one of the most hazardous work areas, with a continuing toll of accidents annually.