The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) will place a focus on tractor safety and farmer health and wellbeing during this year’s National Ploughing Championships, which kicks-off today (Tuesday, September 17).
The HSA said that tractors and machinery are the main cause of farm accidents in Ireland.
The majority of injuries and fatalities with tractors, loaders, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) or other farm machinery involve a combination of operator error; poor maintenance and a lack of training; combined with the presence of children or the elderly near the work activity, according to the HSA.
This will be highlighted at the HSA’s stand at the ploughing, as well as safe work and handling with livestock.
Commenting on the HSA’s work at this year’s Ploughing, Minister of State for business, employment and retail Emer Higgins said that the authority is highlighting how serious dangers around farm machinery can affect all farmers and families.
The minister said: “More farmers are now aware of the importance of health and safety on their farms, but it must continue to be a top priority, as it can and will save lives.
“Serious dangers such as working with heavy machinery and falls from heights are all preventable with the right planning,” she added.
“It’s great to see the demonstrations here at the HSA stand where farmers can see first-hand how best to use quad bikes safely, the importance of wearing helmets, and how PTO (power take-off) shafts for tractors are crucial for all working farms.”
The HSA stand will have a large demonstration area at this year’s event and will showcase safe ways of working around tractors, PTO covers and ATVs.
The stand will also include guidance on safe working at height and working with livestock.
Conor O’Brien, chief executive of the HSA, said: “We are delighted to be back at this year’s [National] Ploughing Championships and we are looking forward to demonstrating practical ways of making farms safer.
“To date this year there are six reported fatalities on Irish farms, and although this is a lower fatality rate than in previous years, six families and their communities have been sadly devastated by these deaths.
We have had 191 reported fatalities on Irish farms in the last ten years and fatalities involving machinery have accounted for 96 of these. Farmers must prioritise and implement safe and appropriate procedures to protect everyone in a workplace, be they employees, contractors, visitors or family members,” O’ Brien added.
The HSA chief executive said that proper risk assessment and health and safety considerations must be implemented in all workplaces, including farms, to ensure everyone’s safety.
The HSA stand will also be providing information and guidance to farmers and their families on farmers’ overall health and wellbeing. Research has shown that farmers are at higher risk of certain health and wellness conditions due to the nature of their work.
These include heart disease, stroke, obesity, back pain, stress, mental health issues, lung issues, hearing loss, as well as skin problems and cancers.
Darren Arkins, programme manager for occupational health at the HSA, said: “This year, along with the key hazards on farms, we want to focus on farmer health and wellbeing issues. Poor health and wellbeing can increase the risk of having a serious or fatal injury on your farm.
“We know farmers work hard to protect nature, the land, their animals and machinery, but it’s important that they also assess and protect their own health and wellbeing and ensure its given priority in their working lives. The resources are available, and we would encourage all farmers to utilise them,” Arkins added.
The HSA stand will also be highlighting the new ‘How to Make Construction Appointments for your Farm’ guidance document, which will give farmers advice on when you need to make appointments for construction work that you are planning to undertake.
When working with third parties, duty holders must ensure work is planned, managed and adequately supervised. It is a legal requirement to make sure appointments are made prior to construction work starting, and it follows a three-step process that is covered in the HSA’s guidance document.