Farm safety is going to take centre stage around the country in the next few days, as Farm Safety Week 2017 kicks off next Monday, July 24.
Taking place during every day of next week, the campaign – which is now in its fifth year – is set to focus on a different risk area each day.
Farmers will be encouraged to take some time during the week to assess the safety of routine tasks. The message for Farm Safety Week is that farm safety is a lifestyle not a slogan.
The initiative is supported by the Farm Safety Foundation, Farm Safety Partnerships, the Health and Safety Executive UK, the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland and the Health and Safety Authority of Ireland.
The first day of the week will focus on farm safety statistics, before moving on to machinery and transport on Tuesday, July 25.
Falls will be examined on Wednesday, July 26, while livestock and slurry will take priority on Thursday. The final day of the week will centre around the safety of children on farms.
A number of retailers will be offering discounts next week, #FarmSafetyWeek – we’ll have details at https://t.co/GeWMiYjOQK later today! pic.twitter.com/rfGIqnPtTS
— Irish Farmers’ Assoc (@IFAmedia) July 19, 2017
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Various farm safety events are expected to be organised around the country over the coming days and throughout next week.
Today, July 19, a farm safety day is being held at Teagasc’s Agricultural College in Mountbellew, Co. Galway; a range of displays is set to run between 11:00am and 4:00pm.
Farming continues to have one of the poorest safety records of any sector in Ireland, according to the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA).
Despite increased awareness and discussion on safety, farmers of all ages are still taking risks when working and this needs to stop, it added.