Teagasc events to put farmer health in the spotlight

A major focus will be put on farmer health and safety at three major Teagasc open days which take place over the next month.

The events are Sheep 2015 at Teagasc Athenry, Co Galway (June 20), Crops and Spraying at Teagasc Oak Park, Carlow (June 24), and Teagasc Moorepark’ 15, a major event for dairy farmers at Fermoy, Co Cork (July 1).

In 2014, 30 people died in farm work related activity, which made up 54% of all workplace deaths. In the first five months of this year, five individuals have died in farm accidents. An estimated 2,500 non-fatal accidents causing serious injury occur on farms annually.

Teagasc health and safety officer John McNamara said one accident is one too many. Thousands of farmers will be attending these three open days and there is an opportunity for them to engage with farm safety specialists to reassess the safety precautions on their own farms.

“Farmer behaviour in relation to safety is the crucial determinant of accident occurrence,” he said. “Maintenance of high safety vigilance particularly during the busy summer months is essential to minimise accident levels.,”

Safety exhibits at the Teagasc events will include demonstrations related to prevention of all the major causes of farm accidents.

The Health and Safety Authority, the Road Safety Authority and ESB Networks will also be exhibiting. New safety training requirements for farm schemes will also be highlighted.

Having suitable facilities to prevent physical injuries when working with sheep will be emphasised at Sheep 2015.

The focus at the Crops and Spraying event will be on meeting the requirements of pesticide regulations. Safety, and work organisation, related to herd expansion will be highlighted at the dairying event.

Farmers health will also be a major topic at all the Teagasc events as a number of recent reports have shown that farmers have poorer health than other occupational groups.

The need for farmers to obtain a regular health check and have associated dialogue with a health professional will be emphasised.

The Irish Heart Foundation will also be on hand to provide free blood pressure checks to all those attending.