Events
Towards a better understanding of farm safety and farmer health
Ashtown, Dublin 15. January 31st
Globally, accidents and fatalities are a persistent feature of farming occupations. In Ireland farming is the most dangerous occupation and accounts for the largest number of work-place fatalities annually. A variety of public and private initiatives have been developed and implemented with the objective of reducing the risks to farm families and workers. This workshop, organised as part of the Behaviours for Safe Farming (BeSAFE) project, brings together researchers, policy stakeholders and knowledge transfer specialists to outline recent and on-going research assessing and evaluating these initiatives. The objective of the workshop is to identify areas for collaboration on on-going or new research by highlighting issues that need to be taken into consideration by stakeholders concerned with farm safety.Whilst the workshop focuses on providing an overview of recent and on-going intra-disciplinary research and collaboration between research and knowledge transfer specialists, key international speakers will provide insights from research in the UK. Prof. Sally Shortall (Newcastle University) will outline the importance of understanding the wider socio-cultural context of safety and Ms. Ilinca Tone (University of Aberdeen) on the use of and effectiveness of tools to assist farmers assess the relative safety of workplace tasks.
Programme
10.00: Welcome
10.10: Scene setting: Overview of farm safety in Ireland - David Meredith (Behaviours for Safer Farming); Francis Bligh(Safe Scene).
10.20: Prof. Sally Shortall, Newcastle University: Normalising danger on the farm within the farm family. normalisation of danger
10.50: Ms Ilinca Tone, Aberdeen University: Improving farm safety, one task at a time. Presentation2
11.15: Ms Diana von Doorn, Carlow Institute of Technology and Teagasc Rural Economy Development Programme: Understanding the health status of farmers in Ireland.Farmers have hearts
11.35: Break
11.45: Ms Niamh Woods, University College Dublin and Teagasc Livestock Research Programme: Human – Animal Relations, a key to safety.Ms Niamh Woods
12.00: Round table – Chaired by John McNamara:
Overview of recent and on-going research in Ireland and internationally
13.45: Group discussion: Supporting wellbeing within the farming community
Potential themes: Farm safety, behaviours, health, wellbeing, services, supports, initiatives
15: Feedback, key issues and wrap-up
