Farms have 'highest rate of fatalities'

THE farming community has a higher rate of fatalities than any other sector, it was stated yesterday. Fifteen people including one child were killed on farms in 2004 compared with 19 people including two children in 2003.

Minister of State John Browne, who opened the Farm Machinery Show at Punchestown Event Centre, Co Kildare, said non-fatal accidents also bring disability, suffering and economic hardship.

Between 1998 and 2003 41% of farm fatalities were due to crush injuries from tractors and other machinery and 17% were due to entanglement with machinery.

"This is despite the fact manufacturers have devised and installed new safety features on machines.

The main reason for accidents is due to human error rather than mechanical failings."

Mr Browne said accidents are mainly caused either by inappropriate use such as driving on slopes resulting in the machine overturning or carrying out repairs while the machine is running.

He urged everyone to think safety at all times when operating and carrying out maintenance work on machinery. Mr Browne said another major cause of accidents is allowing children to operate or to come in contact with some part of the machine.

Many people look back fondly on their childhood days participating in farming activities. However, the machinery then was much less powerful and there were probably a large number of people around to watch young children, he said.

"The situation now is entirely different and we must operate on the basis that children should not be in the vicinity of working machinery", he said.

Mr Browne said he is pleased that Teagasc and the Health and Safety Authority are constantly stressing the issue of farm safety but the issue is primarily the responsibility of the contractor or farmer.