Minister Launches Teagasc Farm Safety Campaign
Issued 6thJune 2001
Mr. Tom Kitt, T.D. Minister for Labour, Trade and Consumer Affairs launched a Teagasc campaign on Wednesday, June 6th to improve the safety record of Irish farms.
The Minister unveiled a vivid safety poster to be displayed at all Teagasc and agri-centres nationwide, along with an information leaflet which will be available from all Teagasc centres.
The Minister said that 16 deaths and an estimated 2,000 injuries occurred on Irish farms last year. When compared with a number of other European countries, Ireland has over twice the number of fatal accidents per 100,000 employed.
''This unacceptably high level of fatalities reflects an enormous amount of tragedy, suffering and disability among the farming community and should motivate everyone involved to redouble their efforts to improve the safety record of the sector'', he stated.
The Minister urged that particular attention be paid to high-risk areas of machinery operation, livestock handling and prevention of trips and falls as these cause the majority of fatalities and accidents each year. He appealed to parents to pay particular attention to securing the safety of children on farms.
The Teagasc safety campaign has the theme 'Think Safety and Take Action', emphasising the need to consider the safety measures required before undertaking any potentially dangerous farm task. The information leaflet highlights the key requirements to prevent accidents for all the high risk farming activities.
Mr Frank Laffey, National Health and Safety Officer with Teagasc, said the leaflet will provide a focus for discussion on safety issues between Teagasc Advisers and farmers over the coming months.
''Summer is an especially busy time on farms. Irrespective of the rush and the pressure, the motto on every farm and with every machine operator must be to 'Think Safety' '', he said.
