Farmers turn blind eye to safety

MOST farmers are still turning a blind eye to safety regulations even though, in the last 10 years, there were more than 200 deaths on farms, it was claimed yesterday.

More than 90% of farms are failing to comply with their legal obligations under the Health and Safety Act, a senior Teagasc specialist said.

Frank Laffey , who heads a Farm Safety Action Group, said less than 10% of farms maintain a workplace safety statement, one of the most basic health and safety requirements.