Anyone working on or visiting a farm during the Christmas and New Year period is being urged to make safety a priority.
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) with special responsibility for Farm Safety, Martin Heydon has issued the appeal ahead of the festive season.
To date this year, there have been eleven confirmed fatal incidents on Irish farms.
“While the overall trend in recent years shows a reduction in the number of fatalities in the farming sector, every fatality is one too many,” Minister Heydon said.
Safety
The minister appealed to all farmers to “make every effort to prevent incidents by managing the risks”.
“As 2024 ends, now is the time for farmers to plan for 2025 and take action to ensure measures are in place to protect the safety, health and wellbeing of themselves and everyone who works on or visits their farms,” he said.
Ahead of the busy spring period, farmers are being urged to take time to review the Farm Safety Code of Practice Risk Assessment.
This ensures that all hazards on farms are assessed, and measures are put in place to eliminate or minimise risks of injury or death.
The risk assessment should be carried out on a regular basis and particularly before undertaking new or infrequent tasks.
Minister Heydon has also reminded farmers of the importance of keeping safe when working at height during the maintenance or construction of farm buildings.
“I am concerned with the number of fatalities on farms due to falls from height, which account for approximately a fifth of farm fatalities since January 2023 and a significant number of serious injuries, some of which are life changing.
“When it comes to working at height, even a small job that takes a few minutes can put you at serious risk of injury or death,” he said.
The minister added that work at height should be carried out by competent people with the knowledge, skills, experience and equipment to carry out the work safely.
When assessing the risks, he said that farmers should consider if it is safer and more efficient in the longer term to hire a contractor.
Minister Heydon also said that the Christmas period can difficult for some people who struggle with their mental health.
“I am asking everyone in farming and rural communities to look out for each other and not to hesitate in seeking help and support if finding it difficult to cope.
“In addition to your GP, there are dedicated services and helplines available to both farmers and non-farmers who are experiencing poor mental health,” he said.