by in News
July 10, 2020
200 Farm Inspections

On Monday 13th July The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) will undertake a two week inspection campaign highlighting on-going safety issues on farms. Inspectors will visit farms nationwide with a view of highlighting a number of safety issues in order to reduce fatalities and serious incidents. The second week of the campaign coincides with Farm Safety Week. PAC Ireland fully supports this safety drive as far too many families are suffering the loss of loved ones due to accidents on the farm.

Approximately 200 farm inspections, over the two-week period, will focus on tractor, machinery and quad bike safety. Between 2010 and 2019, there were 65 deaths due to tractors and farm vehicles, while there were 39 farm machinery deaths. Tractors and machinery account for the highest proportion of farm deaths and injuries in Ireland, with elderly farmers and children at particular risk. The main causes of deaths involving farm machinery include being crushed under a machine part, caught in a machine mechanism and crushed between vehicles.

There have been 14 fatalities so far in 2020, three involving children and nine involving those over the age of 65. A large proportion of all workplace fatalities occur in agriculture, even though a small proportion (5%) of the national workforce is employed in the sector.

Research indicates that, in general, farmers’ attitudes to safety only really changes after a serious injury or death has occurred or has been highlighted. Farmers must take responsibility and proactively implement prevention measures, which include having the necessary training, good maintenance programmes and safe work practices in place in order to avoid fatal and serious injuries occurring on their farms.

Source of Image: Health and Safety Authority