Teagasc expert highlights serious farm machinery risks

A farm health and safety specialist has urged people to be cautious when working with or near farm tractors, vehicles or machinery in order to reduce the risk of farm deaths and injury.

The call by Dr John McNamara, Teagasc, followed the release of fatal accident data, which showed that 80% of deaths in the first five months to the end of May 2016 were associated with farm vehicles and machinery.

Five persons have lost their lives in farm accidents in the first five months of 2016 compared to six in 2015 and twelve in 2014.