Tractor brakes a concern in 37% of farm inspections

More than one-third of farms inspected last year were given written advice on maintaining handbrakes in tractors — the biggest killer in farm machine accidents.

Information from the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) also found that of the 2,756 inspections and 88 investigations carried out last year, just 55% had adequate slurry handling arrangements.

Inspectors also found that 23% of farms had enforcement action taken on poor PTO guarding on machinery and 37% were given written advice on maintaining handbrakes on tractors.