Tag Archives: farm deaths

Clare primary schools have been urged by Labour TD, Michael McNamara to take advantage of free online farm safety learning resources, currently being offered by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). Deputy McNamara said, “The danger associated with working and living on farms is known to all, with the latest figures showing that 2,000 injuries occur on Irish farms each year. However, the issue has come into stark light recently with two tragic deaths on Clare farms and the death and serious injury of two girls on a Cork farm. “A crucial step in preventing deadly farm accidents is educating our children about the dangers and risks of being on a farm. In this regard, the HSA has produced excellent resources free of charge for primary school teachers looking to broach the topic of farm safety with their pupils. It offers guidelines for teachers, and ideas for making children aware of hazards on the farm, such as machinery, slurry pits and …

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 …

THE Health and Safety Authority, with the support of Teagasc, launched Farm Safety Fortnight this week. The campaign is taking place because of the alarming rise in farm deaths so far in 2014, with seven farm deaths occurring, compared to one for the same period of 2013. Farm deaths comprised 44% of all workplace deaths so far in 2014. Being crushed by a tractor or machine has been the main factor associated with recent farm deaths followed by animal incidents. John McNamara, Teagasc health and safety officer, has called on farmers to be particularly vigilant when working in close vicinity of tractors, farm vehicles and machines, particularly in, or around farmyards, because being struck, crushed or falling from a vehicle or machine is associated with 72% of all deaths caused by machinery. Teagasc will be holding a free practical farm event and a seminar at Kildalton College, Piltown, County Kilkenny on Friday afternoon. Demonstrations will take place involving machinery, livestock, …