Farm Health & Safety
Welcome to the Teagasc farm health and safety section. We aim to assist farm family members and those working on farms to minimise the risk of injury and to promote health. Teagasc works with other organisations including the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and member organisations of the HSA Farm Safety Partnership Advisory committee to deliver an effective health and safety service.
Health & Safety is relevant to all farming businesses. As a farmer you are responsible for the health, safety and welfare of yourself, employees and others that may be affected by what you do. This includes contractors, casual or part time workers, trainees, neighbours, and family members. In these dedicated Health & Safety web pages we aim to support you in ensuring that your farm is safe, healthy, and legally compliant.
Teagasc want you to work in a safe working environment to maximise your income and ensure a quality of life for you and your family.
A guide for landowners to managing roadside trees
Guidance has recently been published by the Tree Council of Ireland and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on the topic of managing roadside trees. The document sets out to inform landowners of their responsibilities and to provide clear, practical guidance around what they need to do in order to fulfil those responsibilities. Guidance is provided on the identification of common tree defects with photographs to illustrate these. The importance of checking trees regularly is explained, along with the need to keep simple records of these checks. Advice is also provided on engaging professionals and on health and safety in tree work. Download 'A Guide for Landowners to Managing Roadside Trees' at this link
Improving Farm Health and Safety using NUDGE Theory
When making decisions, most people have biases and take short cuts which often leads to poor decision making. Nudge theory is based on behavioural economics and psychology and assists people to make more rational and better decisions.
The application of NUDGE theory to promote farm safety is being investigated by the New York Centre for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH). Watch video below for more information
Read about Richard Thaler’s behavioural economics revealing that people decide with emotion not logic Irish Times article October 2017 (PDF)
Positive Mental Heath in farming
Managing your health and safety needs to be considered as an overall component of farm management. This means both identifying and implementing key actions to maintain both safety and health.
Publications
- On Feirm Ground = Wellbeing for farmers
- Farm Workshop Safety - Guidelines & checklist
- Coping with the Pressures of Farming
- Farm Safety Poster - A to Z of Farm Safety
- Preliminary NFS Farm Safety Survey (PDF)
- Farmers Have Hearts: Cardiovascular Health Programme
Useful websites
Media Contact
John McNamara - Health and Safety Specialist