Intensive Farms Have Greatest Injury Risk
Tuesday, 27 July 04
New research has shown that half of all farm-related injuries occur on larger, intensive farms.
The research also shows that tillage farms have the highest injury risk with one in five farms experiencing a work-related injury compared with one in eight on dairy and beef farms.
The research is based on a new ‘Farm Injury Risk Index’ developed by Teagasc-sponsored post-graduate student, Anne Finnegan and Professor Jim Phelan of the Faculty of Agriculture, UCD. The results were outlined to an international conference on health and safety organised by Teagasc in association with UCD and the Health and Safety Authority.
Anne Finnegan told the conference that over 18% of farms over 100ha in size experienced an injury compared with 11% of farms between 40ha and 100ha.
The research also shows that farmers who employ full-time staff have a higher level of injuries.
“Injuries have occurred on over 12% of farms with full-time employees compared with 8% of farms with no hired labour”, said Anne Finnegan.
On a regional basis, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow had the highest injury levels, with 18% of farms experiencing an injury. In Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Waterford and Tipperary an average of 12% of farms reported an injury. The counties with the lowest injury levels, at just under 6% of all farms, were Galway, Mayo and Roscommon.
Teagasc Health and Safety Specialist, John McNamara, told the conference that over 50% of people who have died as a result of farm accidents in recent years were either under 16 years or over 65 years old.
