Kilkenny national conference to focus on farm safety and health
Eighteen fatalities have taken place so far in 2014, which is two more than the total for all of last year.
While farm workplace deaths have ‘spiked’ since 2010, farm accidents have also increased by a third.
The conference organisers say farm accidents cause tragedy, pain and suffering and business loss for the farm families involved.
Accordingly, health and safety management in agriculture needs to be urgently addressed to minimise loss.
New approaches based on research and knowledge exchange will be outlined aimed at reducing farm accidents and ill health.
Teagasc and the Health and Safety Authority have organised the conference which will be held at the Newpark Hotel, in association with the Farm Safety Partnership with FBD Trust as sponsors.
Farming organisation leaders Eddie Downey, Irish Farmers Association, John Comer, Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association and Kieran O’Dowd, Macra na Feirme, will chair the conference sessions.
Health and Safety Authority board member Professor Jim Phelan, UCD School of Agriculture, will chair the opening discussion.
Martin O’Halloran, chief executive, Health and Safety Authority and Teagasc Director Professor Gerry Boyle will give opening addresses and outline future strategies to combat farm accidents and health issues.
Brian and Norma Rohan, organisers of the recent Embrace Farm Accident Victim Remembrance Service, will outline the impact of a farm accident tragedy.
Chartered psychologist, Dr Denis O’Hora, School of Psychology, NUI, Galway will outline the challenges that face farmers in adopting safety and health measures.
The aim of his paper will be to pinpoint strategies to gain more effective on-farm adoption of safety and health measures.
Health and Safety Authority Inspector, Catherina Glancy will deliver a paper on learning from accident investigations.
