Health and Safety, Quality Assurance, Environmental Guidance, Auditing and Training

Speaking at the National Farm Health and Safety Conference in Athy, Co Kildare held on Wednesday 18th August, Dr. Anne Collins, a specialist plastic surgery registrar, presented a graphic account of the gruesome consequences of farm injuries and advised farmers to give farm health and safety the attention it deserves.

“In the case of traumatic injury involving farm machinery, plastic surgeons do the very best they can to restore severed limbs and body parts but our efforts very often have limitations in restoring the human body to its original state”, Dr. Collins stated.

Dr. Collins made her comments following a national study which revealed that the power shaft guard was missing in 80% of power shaft injuries and loose clothing and rushing were implicated in 40% of injuries. The study also indicated that survivability with power shaft injuries declines as farmers grow older with the average age of a fatal power shaft victim at 46 years compared to 28 for survivors.

Opening the conference, Mr. Dara Calleary T.D., Minister for Labour Affairs and Public Service Transformation, welcomed the presence and support of IFA President Mr. John Bryan, ICMSA President Mr. Jackie Cahill and Macra na Feirme President Mr. Michael Gowing. “Farm leaders have a key role to play in conveying the message to farmers that effective management of health and safety is crucial in running a successful farm. The only way forward is for farm organisations to work together in changing the culture so that health and safety is not seen as an optional extra but is top of the agenda for all farmers,” said the Minister.

Mr. Martin O’Halloran, Chief Executive of the Health and Safety Authority, also welcomed farm leader support and urged all farm bodies to make a special effort to improve what is turning out to be a black year for health and safety on farms. “With 18 deaths on farms so far this year accounting for almost two thirds of all work related deaths, there is clearly a lot of work to be done”, he stated. “Farmers need to be alert at all times to health and safety issues but particular attention is required when working with tractors, machinery and other farm vehicles as these have been associated with the majority of farm deaths so far this year.” Quoted from The Health and Safety Authority Website

If you need advice or assistance with completing your Farm Safety Statement or complying with the Farm Safety Code of Practice, please contact us today for further details and information. The Farm Safety Code of Practice Document has been designed with Farmers in mind and offers practical solutions to hazards and safety issues that can arise on every farm. It could potentially help save your life or the life or your child.