IFA calls on families to redouble efforts to improve farm safety

IFA President Eddie Downey has again appealed to farm families to make safety a top priority on their farms and to think safety and farm safely at all times.
Tragically, 17 lives have been lost to farm accidents so far this year, which is more than all of 2013. Just yesterday, a five-year-old boy tragically died in nearby Ferbane in a harvester accident.

Eddie Downey said farming is a high-risk occupation, but accidents and injuries can be prevented by taking time and working safely.

“Being tired, distracted and stressed is often a reality on busy farms and every effort must be made to avoid short-cuts. At the peak of this busy summer season on farms, safety must come first,” he urged.

As with IFA’s National Farm Safety Awareness Day last month, the IFA President appealed to farm families to dedicate time to thinking about health and safety on their farms; to identify potential danger areas; and, to consider ways to minimise risks.

“By taking time with family members and farm staff to review or complete a risk assessment, farmers will not only reduce the risks to themselves, their families, employees and farm visitors but will also ensure they are complying with Health and Safety legislation,” Mr Downey said.

The IFA has a dedicated Farm Safety section on its website www.ifa.ie, which provides farm safety videos, booklets, links and information. This will complement a range of initiatives, including messages in the IFA calendar, text alerts to our members and regular updates through our county executive network.