Minister Announces Farm Safety Training Programme

The Minister for Labour Affairs, Dara Calleary TD, has announced an autumn programme of Teagasc farm safety training today (Tuesday 22). The announcement was made to coincide with his visit to the exhibit of the Health and Safety Authority and the Farm Safety Partnership (Farm Safety Village) at the National Ploughing Championships in Athy, County Kildare.

Minister Calleary called on farmers to attend the practical half-day training course and re-stated his support for the Farm Safety Code of Practice and the work of the Farm Safety Partnership. “There is strong evidence that attending health and safety training will greatly reduce the likelihood of an accident. I know that farmers have a tough job and it can be difficult to make time for training but the fact is that a few hours spent at one of these sessions could save a life or prevent a serious injury. From any perspective that’s a good investment.”

The nationwide Teagasc training courses on how to use the Farm Safety Code of Practice will begin in October 2009 and will run until March 2010. Martin O’Halloran, Chief Executive of the Health and Safety Authority, called on farmers and farm leaders to create a culture of excellence in health and safety in a sector that is particularly important to him personally. “I grew up on a farm, so I know that farming is a difficult but a rewarding way of life. However, it can also be a very dangerous occupation. I want farmers to make health and safety a high priority and attending the Teagasc training is a key step towards achieving this. We know from data collected by Teagasc that up to 60% of farmers have yet to use the Code, so I would urge those that haven’t yet done so to get the training and put it into practice.”

Teagasc Director, Professor Gerry Boyle, appealed to farmers to use the Teagasc health and safety advisory and training services to the maximum extent possible. “The vital health and safety aspect of farm management is often overlooked. Engaging with an independent agency like Teagasc has, internationally, been shown to be the key driver to achieving practical legal compliance with occupational health and safety legislation”, he stated.

Professor Boyle stated that the half-day courses on how to complete the Farm Safety Code of Practice are open to all farmers and are an ideal opportunity to gain advice on how to complete and implement the Code. Teagasc advisers will follow-up with any necessary advice, he added.

The Teagasc Director stated that Teagasc staff are strongly committed to assisting farmers to cut the appalling toll of tragedy, pain and suffering and economic hardship caused by injury and ill health and to adjust to current adverse economic conditions.

The dates and locations of the training are available from local Teagasc offices. The Farm Safety Code of Practice can be downloaded for free from www.hsa.ie and the Teagasc half-day training course schedule can be downloaded from www.teagasc.ie

For further information please contact Health and Safety Authority Press and Communications Officer Mark Ryan 01 6147068 / 0868036141

Teagasc Training

Training courses show farmers how to use the Farm Safety Code of Practice. Using this Code of Practice will assist farmers in complying with health and safety legislation. The courses are open to Teagasc and non-Teagasc clients. Courses last half a day and cost €30 perperson. For a full list of dates and locations please contact your local Teagasc office.

Farm Safety Village

The exhibit tries to address the health and safety issues that are part of modern farm management, with advice on: child safety, construction work, codes of practice, health issues for the elderly, stress, disability, manual handling, livestock and electricity.

The PTO and overheadlines demos are particularly relevant and with experts available from the HSA, Teagasc, ESB Networks farmers are encouraged to come along to the village and pick up some useful advice.

On Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 there will be free blood pressure checks by Irish Heart Foundation Nurses.

The HSA stand is number 271 Row L

Aim of Farm Safety Code of Practice

The aim of the “Code of Practice for the Prevention of Accidents and Occupational Ill-Health in Agriculture” is to provide practical guidance to farmers, farm family members, employees, service providers, advisers, trainers and persons with a role related to safety and health in agriculture on the requirements of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 to help improve the level of safety and health in the agriculture sector.

There is strong international evidence that participation in a short training course assists farmers to implement health and safety measures. In Denmark a 48% reduction in accident levels occurred when farmers attended a short half-day training course and carried-out a farm safety check.

Key Farm Risk Facts

General

• There were 21 fatal accidents in Agriculture in 2008
• In the past three years almost 50% of fatal accidents in this sector involved persons over 65 years of age. Children are involved in approx. 20% of farm fatalities.
• The level of farm accidents has not decreased over the past 10 years.
• The statistics indicate that fatal accidents are associated with a very small number of issues: tractors, vehicles and machinery, livestock, falls, drowning, falling objects/collapse, electrocution and working with timber.
• To date this year there have been five fatal accidents on Irish farms.

Farm Vehicles and Machinery

• In the past 10 years vehicles and machinery accounted for almost 50% of all farm deaths.
• Being crushed, struck, pinned under or falling from vehicles are the causes of fatal accidents with farm vehicles.
• Being entangled in PTOs, crushed under a machine part, caught in a machine mechanism, crushed between vehicles and struck by a machine object are the causes of fatal accidents with farm machinery.
• These can be prevented through operator training, good vehicle maintenance and safe work practices.
• Never operate a machine that is not properly guarded, switch off machinery before clearing any blockages or carrying out any maintenance work and never take a short cut, it could be your last.

Livestock

• In the past 10 years 14% of fatal accidents on farms were associated with livestock.
• About one in every four farm accidents are livestock related.
• Safety with bulls is the major issue, however safety around cows with new born offspring and horses/deer are also of particular concern.
• Livestock related fatalities can be prevented by providing suitable animal handling facilities, keeping clear of crush points, kick zones and following safe work practices.

Older Farmers

• In the last three years there has been a significant increase in the number of older farmers (over 65 years) involved in fatal accidents on farms.
• Fatal accidents to older farmers generally involve tractors and machinery, livestock and falls from heights.
• These can be prevented by greater awareness of the presence of older people on farms and indeed the older farmer considering their limitations.
• Older farmers should attempt to reduce their workload and keep away from work where agility and speed of movement may be critical.

Children

• On average, one out of every five farm fatal accidents involves children.
• Major causes are tractors and machinery, and drowning.
• Fatalities to children can be prevented by following some simple rules.
• Children should have a secure play area.
• Children should never be allowed to play in or around the farmyard when work is being carried on such as machinery being worked or moved.
• Children must be supervised at all times when they are allowed into the farmyard or out onto the farm.