Age key to deaths
Farm deaths since 1993 were examined. They averaged 18 per year but in 2014 there were 30 deaths, and more than 20 in three of the remaining years.
“While age is not a primary cause of fatalities, it does help explain some of the trends that have become more prominent in recent years,” said lead researcher, David Meredith of Teagasc’s Rural Economy Development Programme.
Fatalities under 45 years since 2009 are below the average. In stark contrast, deaths of farmers aged 45 to 64 are 57% above the average (the equivalent of three extra deaths per year of farmers in this age group).
Numbers of farmers in this group have risen, due to large numbers returning from the construction sector.
The Teagasc study also indicated accidents are increasingly lethal with increasing age.
“This highlights the importance of forming habits of safe behaviours at an early age and maintaining these habits as age increases”, said Dr Meredith.
Teagasc national health and safety officer John McNamara said the findings are in line with international indications that safety behaviour is a factor in 90% of accidents, and that farm deaths increase with age, particularly from 45 years onwards.
He said 60% of deaths in 2014 were associated with moving farm vehicles and machines, and called on farmers to ensure farm vehicles are securely parked.
