Early HSA inspection campaign targets machinery before start of silage season

A GROWING fatality and injury list during the busy Summer seasons of recent years has prompted the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) to initiate an intensive inspection campaign this week.

The HSA campaign began on Tuesday and will continue over the coming weeks with the aim of getting more awareness of safety issues on their tractors and machines before the silage season kicks-off.

In the past 10 years, over half (51%) of all farm injuries and fatalities have involved vehicles (30%) and machinery (21%) – vehicles are broadly defined as tractors, loaders or quad bikes.

The HSA have identified quad bikes as being a vehicle in the high risk category, directly involved in four farm deaths during the course of 2017 alone.

Pat Griffin, Senior Inspector with the HSA, said that the early start to this year’s campaign was aimed at giving farmers plenty of time to plan for the safe use of tractors and machinery during the silage season.

“Our message is clear: advance preparation and formal training is the key to working safely with machinery on farms. Farmers must make sure they have the necessary skills and competence to do the job safely,” said Pat Griffin.

He added that the condition of machinery was also vital and any required maintenance should be addressed without delay.

“The majority of accidents with tractors or machinery involve a combination of poor planning, operator error, lack of training, maintenance issues, or the presence of children and elderly people near work activity,” said Mr. Griffin

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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