Elderly most likely to die in farm accidents

SLIGO: THE fact that 80% of those who have died in farm accidents this year are over the age of 65 was described yesterday as deeply worrying.

Labour Affairs Minister Tony Killeen said a terrible trend is developing on farms where elderly people are most likely to lose their lives in farm accidents.

“It is important that this trend is highlighted and that all organisations working in the farming sector work towards reversing this trend.”

Four of the five farm deaths recorded so far this year in Louth, Cork, Cavan, Mayo and Wexford involved people over 65. Last year, seven of the 14 fatalities on farms were also over the same age.

Mr Killeen was speaking in Sligo at the launch of farm safety week which begins next Monday with a focus on four themes: safety for the elderly on farms, completion of the farm safety self-assessment document, tractor maintenance and machine guarding, especially PTO shafts.

Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan, who jointly launched farm safety week with Minister Killeen, said tractors are involved in 34% of all serious farm accidents and about 40% of all deaths.

“It is imperative that tractor operation and the guarding of machinery are seen as top priorities on farms,” she said.

Minister Coughlan said farm safety week is an important initiative as it highlights the issues and outlines remedies. The support of farm organisations is also vital.

Health and Safety Authority chairman Jim Lyons highlighted the importance of completing the farm safety self-assessment document which will help prevent accidents and protect lives.