Statistics provided by the HSA

 
Farming deaths, January to July 2010  
       
       
Age County Month Cause of death
19 Cork Jan Fell from a scaffolding
57 Offaly Jan Entangled in PTO shaft
65 Waterford Jan Struck by a tree
21 Carlow Feb Fell from a horse
30 Cork Feb Crushed under a tractor wheel
40 Cork Feb Struck by a tree
3 Donegal Feb Struck by a lorry
30 Kerry Feb Crushed by a tractor and trailor
30 Kerry Feb Crushed while unloading a skip
3 Wicklow Feb Rolled over by a telehandler
78 Longford April Crushed by animal
65 Clare June Rolled over by a tractor
21 Laois June Rolled over by a tractor
62 Clare June Hit by a train while hunting them across a railway track
56  Clare July Hit by a falling concrete post from a digger
 

 

 

  

Helpful Tips:

  • Complete a Farm Safety Risk Assessment Document and a Safety Statement and ensure everybody who works on your farm reads and understands it.
  • Always ensure that the PTO and the PTO shaft are covered properly, and that you always disengage the PTO before you dismount the tractor.
  • Only allow competent persons to drive tractors. Remember children must be at least 14 years old, have received adequate training and be under the supervision of a responsible adult before they are allowed drive a tractor. (They must be 16 years of age and hold at least a provisional driving licence before they can drive in a public place).
  • Always handle animals with caution and use proper handling facilities.
  • Ensure that all slurry tanks and lagoons are covered or fenced off safely.
  • Make a safe play area for children and never allow young children unaccompanied on the farm.
  • Mind overhead power lines.

Always Think Safety First!

Source : FBD Insurance

People working in Agriculture should be aware of the health risks associated with farming. Signs of illness should be immediately investigated. A visit should be made to the GP at least every two years. To prevent infection, hand washing with warm, soapy water is necessary. Cuts and abrasions should be covered.

Suitable, personal clothing should be worn when carrying out hazardous chores.  Sun protection is vital.

Manual Handling: Lifting should be minimized by using mechanical means, such as a loader or jack. Do not attempt to lift heavy loads without help.

Points to note for safe lifting:

  • Assess the task, the area and the load.
  • Broad, stable base with feet flat on the floor.
  • Bend knees, back straight.
  • Firm grip, arms in line with the trunk.
  • Weight close to the centre of gravity.
  • Turning the feet in the direction of movement.

Noise: Laws are in place to reduce the risk of hearing loss caused by hearing loss caused by exposure to high levels of noise in the work-place. This exposure may cause hearing permanent damage. Employers, including farmers, are required to assess the risk to employees, and then put control measures in place to protect their employees and themselves.  Hearing loss can be prevented, but, once the damage occurs, it cannot be repaired. Noise can also be a safety hazard at work, interfering with communications and making warnings harder to hear.  Ear protection must be used if noise levels are above 85 decibels.  Exposure to many different sources of noise- tractors, power tools may have a cumulative effect over time.

Older Farmers: Older farmers must be physically capable of doing the work and work practices should be examined to identify dangerous areas, such as working with machinery, livestock and accessing heights.

 

Farm safety record forms can now be completed online in a bid to improve the dismal records of accidents on Irish farms.  The new facility, launched by the IFA, the Health and Safety Authority and FBD Insurance, also allows farmers to update their risk assessment statements to ensure their farms are safe places to work.