The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has joined forces with Young Social Innovators (YSI) to recognise innovative Transition Year students on getting the farm safety message to communities around the country.
At the recent Annual YSI Showcase in Citywest Hotel, five schools received special certificates of recognition from the Authority during an event in which students ‘speak-out’ on farm safety using rap, humour and drama to highlight their projects to raise awareness of farm safety issues.
Panel members from the Farm Safety Partnership organisations including: HSA, IFA, Teagasc, Farm Relief Services and the Professional Agricultural Contractors of Ireland, listened to the presentations from the students and engaged in a question and answer session with them. Schools receiving awards were: St Mary’s Secondary School, Charleville; CBS, Thurles; St Brendan’s College, Killarney; St Joseph’s Secondary School, Tulla, Co. Clare and Mercy Secondary School, Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath.
HSA Chief Executive, Martin O’Halloran said, “It’s incredible to see the passion and energy coming from young students in getting the farm safety message out there. We came here today to see young people energised about seeking to change something tragic at the heart of farming life in Ireland. Sixteen people died in Ireland in work-related accidents on farms last year and ten have died this year so far, including a number of tragedies in the past week.”
Transition Year students from St Josephs Secondary School, in Tulla, Co. Clare presenting their project, on raising awareness of safety on Irish farms.