Make Farm Safety Number One in 2024

By Sinéad Devaney, Teagasc Adviser, Galway/Clare Regional Unit

This year why not ask yourself “What can I do every day to make 2024 a safer farming year?” Here I’m making some suggestions as to how you can answer this question.

Plan to slow down this year, avoid rushing. Why not take the time now before getting into the busy spring period to plan the workload and make preparations.

Plan for calving and lambing, what needs to be put in place so that it goes smooth – is your yard/ shed lighting ok? Plan your fertiliser purchase, slurry spreading, proposed animal turnout dates, silage cutting dates. When might you take holidays? These are just some of the big events to think of and can be stressful times when they arrive. Planning and preparing for these events in advance will allow you to be more organised when the time comes, less likely to rush or make mistakes and avoid accidents. Review your Farm Safety Code of Practice Risk Assessment Document, is it up-to-date? Your local Teagasc office can supply you with copies.

Children on the farm – Are they visible, especially in winter? Get them into the habit of wearing a high visibility vest or jacket every time they are out on the farm, particularly in the evenings. Children love to help out on farm, feeding baby lambs for example. Alert them to the dangers around them, teach them to act responsibly. Point out to children that the farmyard is a workplace and not a playground. Lead by good example – use of protective clothing, exercising caution, respect for animals and machinery. Watch out when moving bales. Most importantly children should always be supervised by an adult when out on the farm.

Health and hygiene are part of staying safe on the farm. Remind children to wash their hands well when they come in from the farm. Teach them about preventing spread of disease and germs on farm. Alert them to the possibilities of picking up infection such as Orf or Ringworm where applicable.

Apply for a TAMS 3 60% grant to improve farm safety on the farm.

TAMS 3 Farm Safety Capital Investment Scheme

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has a suite of Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes (TAMS 3) which provide grants to farmers to build and/or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holding. One category of TAMS 3 is the Farm Safety Capital Investment Scheme which provides an incentive to farmers to avail of investments to improve their own safety and that of their farm. Farmers can avail of 60% grant rate on the net cost of approved safety items under this scheme. The minimum amount of investment which is eligible for approval under this Scheme is €2,000 per application. The scheme is open to farmers who have a minimum of 5 hectares declared under the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) or equivalent in the year of application or preceding year. Where planning permission is required, documentary evidence of a grant of full planning permission, or a declaration of exemption must be obtained prior to application. All applications and follow-up claims for payment must be made online via Agfood, either by the farmer themselves or through an agricultural agent or advisor. Any expenditure spent or investment work started/delivered before the date of submission of an application is ineligible.

Investment eligible for grant aid include; a calving pen, bull pen, cattle handling facilities, mobile and fixed sheep handling equipment, cattle weighing scales, a head scoop, leg hoist lifter, Electronic tag readers, Protective Fence around existing tank, Safety Agitation platform for existing external tanks, New Tank Cover over existing open tank,  Replacement of damaged slats or removal of existing internal agitation point and replacement by gang slats, Tank extension to provide external agitation point, Safety Rails on Silo Walls, Replacement Tank extension Cover, Circulation pipe (6") to allow for agitation of slurry, Simple Aeration systems, Replacement of a hinged door/sheeted gate with a new sliding door / roller door on agricultural buildings, Retrofitting roof-light with safety cages, Wiring / Rewiring existing agricultural building, yard lights, Calf dehorning crate, horse handling facilities, Wheel Changing Equipment, Livestock monitors, bale slice and a Hydraulic Motor to substitute PTO Shaft.

Teagasc Athenry runs a half day Farm Safety course for TAMS 3 purposes for farmers.

For guidelines on safe handling of cattle, machinery, how to deal with various farm hazards as well as advice for children and elderly on farms, training and more take a look at The Health and Safety Authority website: https://www.hsa.ie/eng/Your_Industry/Agriculture_Forestry/

The Teagasc website is very good also, check out https://www.teagasc.ie/rural-economy/farm-management/farm-health--safety/

Contact your local Teagasc office for further details.