Safety campaign on way

A TRAINING programme for farmers will be rolled out shortly as part of the Health and Safety Authority’s largest ever farm safety public awareness campaign.

The campaign will support the new Agriculture Code of Practice, which was sent to every farmer.

The “Code of Practice for the Prevention of Accidents and Occupational Ill Health in Agriculture” offers practical guidance to farmers, farm family members, employees, service providers, advisers, trainers and persons with a role in safety and health in agriculture.

The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 places a legal duty on all employers, including farmers, to prepare and implement a Safety Statement. However, employers, including farmers, with three or less employees may fulfil their obligations by following the guidance in any relevant Code of Practice published by the Health and Safety Authority.

As a result, compliance or non-compliance with the practical guidance in the Code may be admissible as evidence in criminal proceedings — although failure to observe any part of a Code of Practice will not in itself render a person liable to civil or criminal proceedings.

Meanwhile, the Authority will spend €1.5m on raising farmer and public awareness in a bid to reduce the 18 per year death toll on Irish farms.

Gavin Lonergan, Communications Manager for the Health and Safety Authority said, “The campaign is not about lecturing to farmers but encouraging them in a positive way to put safety first as they go about their day-to-day activities.”