Gardai in Co. Meath are investigating after a man in his early 60s died in an accident involving a tractor near Castlejordan in the county yesterday.
A Garda spokesperson confirmed to Agriland that the accident happened around 1pm yesterday.
It is understood that the man was fatally injured in an accident involving a tractor and a JCB. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has been notified, the spokesperson said.
Last week, a 28-year-old man in Cork died after the roof he was standing on collapsed on a farm in Macroom, where silage was being cut.
In January a man in his 60s died in Kilkenny, then in March, two farm deaths occurred.
Last month, there was two farm accidents in one week after a farmer was crushed by a tractor and another died following an accident with a quad bike.
Some 80% of deaths in the first five months to the end of May 2016 were associated with farm vehicles and machinery, figures from the HSA show.
In 2016, five persons lost their lives in farm accidents in the first five months, compared to six in 2015 and 12 in 2014, the data shows.
Last year, 17 people died in farming-related accidents on Irish farms. Earlier this month, Teagsac Health and Safety Specialist Dr. John McNamara called for more caution around farm safety when working with tractors and machinery.
Speaking at this busy time on farms, Dr McNamara said that one death, or injury is one too many and a high state of vigilance is needed as the busy summer work season progresses and the school holidays approach.
“Reversing the recent trend of farm deaths, due to ‘knock-downs or being crushed’ by tractors and machinery, will only be achieved by strong farmer vigilance.
“Farmers should also pay particular attention to parking tractors safely, applying the handbrake and lowering hydraulic equipment, to reduce the safety risk to themselves and others,” he said.