Safety inspectors to hit farms in two-week blitz

A TWO-week intensive inspection campaign of farms by the Health and Safety Authority began last Monday.

Inspectors are visiting up to 300 farms to check measures are in place to minimise the risk of accidents.

They are checking that tractors and machinery are properly maintained — particularly that PTO shafts are properly guarded — and other areas of concern are open slurry pits, un-gated children’s play areas and livestock handling.

Inspectors will be requesting that farmers have assessed risks and put measures in place to minimise them.

Health and Safety Authority senior inspector Pat Griffin said: “The Farm Safety Code of Practice and the www.farmsafely.com risk assessment tool are free resources available to farmers that will greatly assist in minimising the risk of death or serious injury on farms.”

He asked farmers to prioritise safety and “engage with our inspectors and act on any advice given. This is about saving life and limb”.

To date, this year, nine deaths were reported due to work activity on farms.