Transition Year (TY) students will get the opportunity to learn why farm safety is “critical” as part of a new workshop roadshow that launches next week.
Agri Aware will deliver 46 Farm Safety First workshops over a two-week period in secondary schools across 22 counties.
The first workshop, which takes place next Monday (November 11) will concentrate on increasing students’ “knowledge and awareness” “of safety practices.
The Farm Safety First programme, supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has been designed specifically for TY students.
It will cover key issues such as personal safety and awareness, identifying hazards and understanding warning signs, staying safe around livestock and best practices for working with machinery.
Each workshop will focus on three core areas, which include:
- Understanding potential dangers by recognising warning signs and staying vigilant;
- Preparing for tasks with proper personal protective equipment and knowledge;
- How to implementing best practices to assess and safely handle farm tasks.
Speaking on the launch of the workshops today (Wednesday, November 6), Agri Aware chair, Shay Galvin said: “TY is an important time for secondary school students.
“They are exploring the world, and in many rural communities, they are working on or around farms.
“Farm Safety First aims to equip these students with the skills to stay safe on farms and to ensure they have the tools to make level-headed decisions.”
Farm safety
Schools that participate in the programme and submit a project at the end will have a chance to win prizes of up to €800.
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food, and Marine, Martin Heydon, has said he is “determined to foster a culture of ‘Farm Safety First’ in every young person who lives or works on a farm”.
“They will be the next generation of farmers and that is why I am delighted to be able to support this new programme aimed at transition year students.
“The stark reality is one in ten fatal incidents on Irish farms involves children.
“By creating opportunities for students to learn about the hazards on farms and how to mitigate the risks, we equip young people with the tools to keep not only themselves but their families safe,” the minister added.