Ploughing survey to shape farm safety and farmer health plans
Farm safety minister Michael Healy-Rae: 'It is important that we listen to farmers to understand their concerns about the issues which have the greatest impact on their daily lives.' Picture: O'Gorman Photograph
A survey to assess farmer perspectives on farm safety, health and wellbeing conducted at this year's National Ploughing Championships is set to shape future farm policy.
The survey is being conducted by Teagasc, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), and the Department of Agriculture.
Speaking ahead of the Ploughing Championships, farm safety minister Michael Healy-Rae said: “It is important that we listen to farmers to understand their concerns about the issues which have the greatest impact on their daily lives.
"This survey will provide the evidence base necessary to enhance the effectiveness of existing farmer safety, health and wellbeing initiatives and inform the development of future policy that better addresses the comprehensive needs of Irish farming communities. I urge all farmers and everyone who helps on farms to take the time to complete the survey.”
"The survey will provide an important insight into where farmers source knowledge and information relating to farm safety to enable more targeted and effective communication with them. It will also help establish baseline data on the prevalence of common occupational health issues affecting Irish farmers and their impact on work capacity and quality of life."
Dr David Meredith, Teagasc's head of the Agri-Food Business and Spatial Analysis Department, said: “The results of this survey will be extremely important. They will inform how we approach farm health and safety.
"They will support the design of practical measures that can improve the safety, health and wellbeing of our farmers as part of existing and future agricultural strategies at local, national and EU levels.”
Mark Cullen, interim chief executive of the Health and Safety Authority, said: “Farm safety and farmer wellbeing remain key priorities for the HSA. By hearing directly from farmers through this survey, we can better understand the challenges they face and ensure that our supports, guidance and initiatives are practical, relevant and effective.
"Collaboration across agencies is vital, and this survey is an important step in strengthening our shared efforts to make farming a safer and healthier occupation for all. With 16 work-related fatalities on farms so far this year, this challenge has never been more urgent.”
Teagasc will lead the data analysis and compile a report on the findings of the survey. The report on the survey will be published later this year.
