Managing Farm Safety and Health Video Series

The Managing Farm Safety and Health Video Series provides up-to-date and ‘state of the art’ knowledge on preventing injury and ill health on farms.

The series has been produced by John McNamara and Francis Bligh, Teagasc Health and Safety Specialists, with support from FBD Insurance and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).

Watch the videos below

Construction Safety on Farms

Chainsaw Safety

This video on chainsaw safety shows approaches and techniques for small scale timber work.It is important to have adequate knowledge and skill. To have a modern chainsaw with up to date safety devices. Chainsaw PPE should be worn and safe techniques used.

• Child Safety

  A farm is a great environment to grow up on, but the farm and farmyards are dangerous. 10% of all fatalities on farms involve children. Children should not be allowed on the farm if they are not properly supervised.

• Older Persons Safety

  Older farmers can continue to be safe and productive. The key is the ability of them and their families to recognise age-related risk factors, as well as the willingness to modify expectations and physical activity accordingly.

• Tractor Safety

  Tractors and farm vehicles can help you save time, money and increase productivity, but they are also very hazardous if not operated in a safe manner.

• Machinery Safety

  Modern agriculture is increasingly dependent on the use of machinery in order to carry out tasks in the most efficient way possible. However, HSA statistics show machinery accounts for 8 % of fatal injuries on farms. Machinery is also a significant cause of serious injuries on farms.

• Livestock Safety

  It is estimated that over 40% of all farm accidents (fatal and non-fatal) involve livestock. While many are associated with the handling of bulls, most accidents occur during routine tasks such as herding, loading, drenching, vaccinating, testing and handling cows at calving.

• Livestock Handling

  Well-designed cattle handling facilities based on animal behaviour principles are essential on every farm with cattle. They help to minimise stress on the animal and make cattle handling tasks easier and safer. The handling facility should fit in with your day-to-day activities seamlessly.

• Sheep Safety

  Sheep farming can be a physically demanding job. Tasks like dipping and foot care can involve intense repetitive handling during which the same muscles are strained. Good sheep handling facilities and techniques will help to improve safety and welfare for the handler and sheep.

• Slurry Handling Safety

  Livestock farming produces large amounts of organic waste which is a great source of organic nutrients but needs careful handling to prevent death and life-changing injury.

• Harvesting Safety

  Harvest season calls for advance planning and even farmers and contractors with years of experience need to be aware of the dangers associated with this activity and take the necessary precautions.

• Workshop Safety

  Every farm has a requirement to carry out machinery maintenance and repairs. Adopting safe work practices are essential when carrying out maintenance or repairs in the workshop. If equipment is not used safely, serious or fatal injury can occur.

• Chemical Safety

  Chemicals such as animal medicines, sprays, fertilisers, oils, disinfectants, dairy detergents and slurry gases can pose considerable risk to farmers. Chemicals need to be stored and used correctly to protect your health and safety.

• Health of Farmers

  Managing your own personal health and safety needs to be central to good management on the farm.

• Construction Safety on Farms

  Consideration must be always given to the potentially very dangerous nature of construction and maintenance work on farms, in particular work at height. It is essential that farmers and building contractors construct buildings or carry out repairs in a safe manner to prevent accidents.

• ATV Safety

  A Quad Bike is a fantastic aid for farm work as it is designed to cope with a wide variety of terrain types, but if it is operated unsafely it quickly creates significant risks of death or severe injury to the operator.

• Electrical Safety on Farms

  Co Westmeath Dairy farmer John Stone, farms in partnership with his son Thomas. They recently installed a new dairy & milking parlour. Safety was high on their agenda. They employed a good electrician and put in the most modern & safe equipment

• Handling & Herding of Livestock

  Learn the best strategies for low stress handling and herding of livestock with Miriam Parker, LivestockWise. Miriam tells us the instinctive behaviours of all cattle that we can use to move them in a low stress way.

• Time Management

  Managing your work time has benefits for farm business and lifestyle goals. Jimmy Cotter, dairy farmer, in Coachford Cork, tells us how he manages his work time.

• Farm Vehicle Safety and Blind Spots

  Learn how you can use your farm vehicles more safely and where to watch out for the blind spots. To ensure you are using your farm vehicles safely begin by parking your vehicles in an orderly manner and develop a safe routine