Campaign to highlight farm safety
Fine Gael agriculture and food spokesperson Billy Timmins called in the Dáil for a campaign similar to one produced on road safety.
“We need to show shocking images of children on bales or hanging around slurry tanks.
“Painful as that may be for families who have suffered loss from accidents, it may save lives in future,” he said.
Deputy Timmins said Agriculture and Food Minister Joe Walsh should consider running the advertisement campaign in late spring, in conjunction with the Health and Safety Authority.
Minister Walsh said there is a plethora of farm safety publications available. Yet, horrendous accidents take place on farms.
“Therefore, I will examine what Deputy Timmins has said to see if I can do something about encouraging people to be more careful,” he said.
Replying to Labour TD Emmet Stagg, he said he was very concerned with the level of safety on farms.
Over the past ten years the number of people killed on farms remained unacceptably high.
Last year, 24 people, including seven children, died in accidents in this sector. Some of the accidents were horrific because modern machinery is so powerful.
These frightening statistics speak for themselves and behind these figures lie terrible human tragedy and unimaginable suffering, which is harrowing.
“It is imperative for all farmers to acknowledge that farming is a hazardous occupation and one that - given the powerful tractors and other machinery currently in use - carries specific risks to themselves, their workers and their families. All necessary steps to minimise these risks must be taken,” he said.
