National conference on farm safety

Against a background of an upsurge in farm deaths, Teagasc and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) will hold a national conference on Farm Safety and Health on Thursday, August 21 in Kilkenny.

Eighteen fatalities have taken place so far in 2014, which is two more than the total for all of 2013, One of the most recent fatal accidents involved a child in the midlands whose grandparents are in Quin.

The National Conference is being held in association with the Farm Safety Partnership, which is representative of organisations with a role in promoting farm health and safety. Farming organisation leaders, Eddie Downey, IFA; John Comer, ICMSA and Kieran O’Dowd, Macra na Feirme; will chair conference sessions.

At the event, Brian and Norma Rohan, organisers of the recent Embrace Farm Accident Victim Remembrance Service, will outline the impact of a farm accident tragedy.

The conference is of particular relevance to farmers, contractors, advisers and anyone with an interest in farm safety and health. The venue is the Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny from 10am to 1pm. Attendance at the conference is free of charge but booking is requested to 056-7721133.

Further information on the conference is available at www.teagasc.ie<http://www.teagasc.ie>