The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has opened a public consultation on a new farm safety code of practice and risk assessment documents.

Farmers, agricultural organisations, representative bodies, safety professionals and members of the public are invited to provide feedback on these two draft documents.

The public consultation relates to:

Farm Safety Code of Practice Risk Assessment Document For Farms with Three or Less Employees;
Code of Practice for Preventing Injury and Occupational Ill Health in Agriculture For Farms with Three or Less Employees.

These two draft documents are aimed at strengthening health and safety standards across the agricultural sector.

They have been developed to support improved safety management on farms and to provide practical guidance to farmers in identifying, assessing and managing workplace risks.

The HSA said the consultation process will allow stakeholders to contribute their expertise and experience to help ensure the final documents are "practical, effective and responsive to the needs of the sector".

Workplace fatalities

Farming accounted for almost 40% of all workplace fatalities in Ireland last year, with 25 of the 63 fatal incidents occurring on farms.

The HSA said it is "committed to working with farmers and industry stakeholders to reduce fatalities, serious injuries and work-related ill health".

Ger Hartnett, senior agriculture inspector with the HSA, said the insights and experiences of those working in the agricultural sector are invaluable.

"Through this consultation, we want to hear from farmers, representative organisations, advisors, contractors and others with an interest in farm safety," Hartnett said.

"Their feedback will help ensure these documents provide practical guidance that supports safer and healthier working environments across Irish agriculture."

Consultation

The 2005 Act allows employers (including most farmers) with three or less employees to comply with the terms of a code of practice as an alternative to preparing a written safety statement.

The HSA encourages all interested parties to review the draft documents and submit their observations and recommendations during the consultation period.

The draft documents can be accessed on the HSA's website and submissions can be made online.

The consultation closing date is July 31, 2026.