20,000 children call attention to farm safety
The farm safe schools programme is focused on improving farm safety and offers children practical advice on keeping all those on the farm safe.
20,000 children across Ireland have become 'farm safety ambassadors' as part of an initiative to improve safety on Irish farms.
Over 450 primary schools across Ireland participated in the range of events and workshops hosted by Agri Aware farm ahead of Farm Safety Week, which runs until Friday (July 22).
The programme focuses on improving farm safety and offers children practical advice on keeping all those on the farm safe.
The week brings Ireland and the UK together by encouraging all farmers and farm workers to view health and safety as a central focus of their business.
Out of all occupations in the UK and Ireland, farming was found to have the poorest safety record.
Involving children in the programme has become an important focus as 21 children have died on Irish farms in the last decade.
Alan Jagoe, Chairman, Agri Aware said: “We are proud to support the annual Farm Safety Week campaign. A campaign across Ireland and the UK can really draw attention to, and reduce the injury risk that farmers and farm workers face every day.
“The Agri Aware Farm Safe Schools programme has had a real impact in just a short space of time in bringing the farm safety message home to the farm from the classroom.
Mr Jagoe added: "When many voices join together to drive a change, this is when it can happen. Farm Safety Week is important for this focus, but the truth is that we should all try our best to farm safely every day of the year not just during Farm Safety Week.”
This year’s Farm Safety Week is supported by a variety of organisations, including the Farm Safety Foundation, the Farm Safety Partnerships, The IFA, the Health & Safety Executive, Health & Safety Executive for Northern Ireland and the Health & Safety Authority, Ireland.
