Farm Fatalities Increase in 2003

23 December, 2003

A total of 18 deaths occurred on Irish farms in 2003, an increase of five on the figure for 2002.

Frank Laffey, Teagasc National Farm Safety Specialist and Chairman of the Farm Safety Partnership Group, said the figures signify the continuing tragedy of death and injury on our farms.

“Over the past decade, we have had an average of 20 deaths each year due to farm accidents. The causes of death in 2003 show the same pattern as in previous years. Tractors and machines are the biggest contributor followed by falls, animals and slurry drowning,” he said.

He urged farmers to adopt the following five New Year’s farm safety resolutions.

“Top of the list is tractor maintenance. I am amazed at the number of farmers who have not serviced their tractor in 2003. Poorly working handbrakes are a particular hazard.”

“Secondly, the presence of fragile perspex and asbestos on many farm buildings is a major safety hazard. Never work on roofs without proper crawling boards and roof ladders.”

“The third resolution is to vow never to operate a tractor with an uncovered power take-off (pto) shaft”.

“Fourthly, make sure that slurry tanks are fitted with a safety access manhole.”

“Finally, get rid of any dangerous bull or cow on the farm as early as possible in 2004. They may have good breeding potential but are simply not worth the safety risk.”

Frank Laffey appealed to every farmer to complete the Farm Safety Self Assessment Document sent recently to them by the Health and Safety Authority.

“This document is in the form of a checklist and helps you to identify the key controls that that are missing your farm. Use the Christmas and New Year period to get the document out of the drawer and complete it without delay,” he urged.