Farmers showing ‘scant regard’ for safety code

SOME farmers may face prosecution for failing to comply with a practical health and safety proposal in an industry with a high level of fatalities.

About two thirds of farm families have not completed a Health and Safety Authority farm safety code.

A conference heard yesterday many farm operators are “showing little or no regard” for the safety code, with two thirds failing to complete an assessment.

HSA senior inspector Pat Griffin said the non-compliance was a worrying lack of engagement with a practical system that helps to save lives and avoid horrific injuries. The HSA, he said, would not continue with a “softly, softly approach” and may consider prosecutions.

About 30% of all industrial fatalities occur in farm-related businesses. Up to 1,800 serious injuries take place in the sector each year. In 2008, there were 21 farming related deaths out of a total of 57 for all work sectors.

Mr Griffin said appalling tragedies have occurred on farms, many involving young children, and they cannot continue.

The vast majority of accidents occurring on farms are preventable and the code, along with training and follow-up action, can have a very significant impact in this regard, he said.

An IFA spokesman later insisted that farmers are very conscious of the need for safety on their farms.

Health and safety officer with Teagasc, John McNamara, said farming is dangerous work activity and farmers must change their attitudes and get out of the ‘it will never happen to me’ mindset that is all too common.

Professor Risto Rautiainen, University of Iowa, praised the Irish approach to improving health and safety on farms through training, legislation and strategies to eliminate hazards.

He noted, however, Ireland was showing a gradual decline in farm workplace deaths and injuries in contrast with many countries.

Machinery entanglement and incidents involving livestock are the major causes of disability — causing injury while back pain, arthritis and heart conditions are the major health conditions reported.

Meanwhile, the number of farmers suffering from stress because of the

economic pressures they are under at the moment was described as “very worrying” at yesterday’s conference in Athy, Co Kildare.

IFA Farm Family Committee chairperson Mary Sherry told the conference on farm safety and health that the stress levels in farm families was rising.

“Poor prices, the threat of further cuts to income supports, bank debt, the difficulty in getting credit and bad weather conditions have all contributed to very demanding situations for farmers. Many are under increasing pressure to meet day-to-day household bills and are finding it hard to remain positive,” she said.