The National Conference on Farm Safety and Health was hosted today by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and Teagasc, with sponsorship from FBD and the support of the Farm Safety Partnership, at the Auburn Lodge Hotel in Ennis, Co. Clare.

Farming continues to be the most hazardous occupation in Ireland, consistently reporting the highest number of fatalities in comparison to other sectors over the last number of years, according to the HSA.

Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen gave the opening address at the conference.

At this, the minister said: “Farming remains an important part of Irish life and a key part of our economy. Across the farming community there have been 21 people killed due to work activity so far in 2017.

Safety deaths farm conference

Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen speaking at the National Conference on Farm Safety and Health. Image source: Finbarr O’Rourke

“This is too high. Families are grieving. We must make every effort to ensure that workplace deaths in the farming industry are reduced. Throughout this year, I have engaged with stakeholders involved in farming on this issue to find solutions to this crisis.

Progress is being made, information and training is out there but we need to change the mindset and culture and ensure that safety is a priority for farmers and their families. I again repeat my call for farmers to stay safe, think about your actions, consider your work practices.

“The toll on the community and on farming families is simply too high,” the minister stressed.

Prof. Jim Phelan, chairman of the Farm Safety Partnership also spoke at the event.

He told the conference: “There has been a shift in the last number of years towards fatalities amongst older people in agriculture and that is very concerning.

I believe that the solution to reducing these deaths is a multi-agency or multi-stakeholder approach where we strongly target vulnerable groups, such as elderly farmers, with safety messages and supports.

“It will take significant investment in terms of time and money but we must address this issue with resources.”

Dr. John McNamara, farm safety and health specialist with Teagasc, said working in a hurry is a major factor in farm accidents, particularly in spring when the workload increases dramatically.

“Farmers are under increased work pressure, as the dairy sector has expanded due to milk quota abolition, while dry-stock farmers are availing of off-farm employment with the upturn in the economy,” McNamara added.

farm safety conference deaths

Pictured at conference were: Dr Tom Kelly, director of Knowledge Transfer, Teagasc; Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen; Clare dry-stock farmer and farm safety advocate, Michael Callinan; and Tom Coughlan, chairman of the Health and Safety Authority board Image source: Finbarr O’Rourke

“Teagasc advisors are paying particular attention to the organisation of work and are helping farmers to cut workload through farm modification and change in practices. We have to look at the contributing factors that cause farm accidents and come up with solutions that will get buy-in from farmers.“

Clare dry-stock farmer Michael Callinan explained to the conference how he operates his family farm. Callinan has won three awards in the categories of Farmyard, Livestock and Safety.

The farmer spoke about the importance of keeping the yard tidy and understanding the importance of livestock safety. He also informed attendees that safety just doesn’t happen, it needs time and attention.

“Because I work off-farm, everything I do on the farm must be efficient, time-managed and I always consider if I can do the job more efficiently and safer. Every farmer must put their safety, and their health, first every day.”

Tom Coughlan, chairman of the HSA board said: “The remit of the [HSA] authority covers all sectors and workers but it is clear that the number of deaths occurring on Irish farms is at crisis levels.

The board of the authority met here in Ennis yesterday to show our support for this event and to hear the speakers today.This conference will help the authority to develop new strategies on farm safety.”

deaths farm safety conference

Pictured at conference were: Geraldine O’Sullivan IFA; Alma Jordan, author of children’s farm safety books; and Diana Van Doorn. Image source: Finbarr O’Rourke

Farm deaths in 2017

Of the 21 people killed in farm fatalities so far this year, tractors and farm vehicles account for the biggest cause of death, with 12 fatalities caused by these, according to HSA figures.

Other causes include: animals and livestock, which accounted for three deaths; machinery and equipment, culpable for one death; falls from a height, causing two deaths; drowning and gas, also resulting in two deaths; and falling objects the cause of one death.