HSA: Farmers need to change mindset on safety

Farmers will be asked to help each other to boost safety on their land, with the Health and Safety Authority admitting it is “clutching at straws” in its efforts to reduce serious accidents.

With 2014 the worst year for farm deaths in more than two decades, the HSA said it would be cutting the number of inspections and instead working on developing countrywide discussion groups with the hope of creating “a sustained change” in how farmers maintain high safety levels.

Pat Griffin, senior inspector within the HSA, said there would be 700 fewer farm inspections this year but that the resources would instead be diverted to more practical ways of enhancing safety on farms around the country.