Make farm safety a 'priority' this Christmas
Make safety a priority over the Christmas and New Year period. That’s the message from Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for Farm Safety, Martin Heydon TD as he urges everyone working on and visiting farms to put safety first.
To date this year, there have been 11 confirmed fatal incidents on farms. Minister Heydon said: “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.
"We must 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”.
Meanwhile, he is advising farmers to take time to review the Farm Safety Code of Practice Risk Assessment before the busy spring period. The Assessment ensures that all hazards 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.
“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,” the Minister continued. “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”.
“Christmas can be a difficult time 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." For further information and helpline details, visit www.gov.ie/farmsafety