Farm Safety Interventions to help advisors promote safety with livestock
Ciaran Kinahan, Sinéad Flannery, John McNamara and Francis Bligh share details of a study which developed livestock safety workshops for advisors to help reduce farm accidents.
Farming is one of the most hazardous occupations in Ireland, with an average of 20 fatal accidents occurring annually (DAFM, 2022). Despite agriculture employing just 7% of the Irish workforce, nearly half of all workplace fatalities occur on farms (HSA, 2024). According to the 2022 Teagasc National Farm Survey, livestock were involved in 52% of farm accidents, resulting in 2,352 injuries. Cattle, particularly bulls, cows with newborn calves, and bullocks, pose significant risks. The increase in livestock-related accidents and fatalities is primarily attributed to inadequate handling facilities, risky behaviours around livestock, and a lack of attention to animal behaviour (HSA, 2020).
The research objectives of this study:
- To design and develop a livestock safety workshop for agricultural advisors
- To pilot the livestock safety workshop with agricultural advisors
- To evaluate the livestock safety workshop with agricultural advisors
- To identify changes in farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours towards livestock
This study examines advisory interventions to improve livestock safety adoption on farms. Semi-structured interviews and surveys were conducted with farmers and Teagasc advisors using an exploratory mixed-methods approach. The research developed a livestock safety workshop based on advisor input, focusing on attitudes, behaviours, and knowledge. The study evaluated farmer engagement and adoption of livestock safety practices, involving 12 advisors and 33 farmers across Ireland.
Key Findings
The study findings indicate a rise in livestock-related accidents on Irish farms, highlighting the significant safety risks posed by livestock production systems. A one-day livestock safety workshop for agricultural advisors was highly effective in enhancing advisor’s ability to promote safer practices among farmers. The research also demonstrated positive behavioural changes among farmers, underscoring the importance of targeted interventions, practical training, and tailored advisory support in improving livestock safety. These findings stress the need for structured, evidence-based approaches to address the growing safety challenges in livestock management, promoting a safer working environment in the Irish agricultural sector. The livestock safety interventions implemented for farmers (pictured) included a comprehensive calving risk assessment, a hands-on one-day livestock workshop. Additionally, YouTube videos on livestock safety provided continuous learning, complemented by an informative newsletter designed to keep farmers up to date with the latest safety practices and guidelines. Together, these interventions created a well-rounded, accessible, and impactful approach to enhancing livestock safety for farmers.
Implications
This study was integrated into the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s (DAFM) Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP), a mandatory training for 17,000 farmers. The focus on livestock safety underscores the practical impact of the study findings, demonstrating its relevance in improving farm safety practices and influencing policy aimed at reducing risks in livestock management across Irish agriculture.