Time for action as fatalities shoot up

A FRIGHTENING 70% increase in farming fatalities this year has again led to more pleas for a far greater emphasis to be placed on safety.

The latest farm fatality figures – 18 so far for 2014 – included the death of Offaly’s under-21 hurling manager, Dermot Hogan, who died after falling through a roof while painting.

This week, Galway IFA Chairman, Pat Murphy, told the Farming Tribune that for every fatality and serious injury, there were hundreds more near misses.

“I know that it might seem easy to say but I’m pleading with farmers to think before they do things and try and take their time.

“The other two things I would advise is for all farm families to sit down and to fill out the their farm safety form and for children on farms to be taught safety from an early age,” said Pat Murphy.

Last minth, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) issued their national annual report for last year that again identified farming, fishing and construction as the most hazardous workplace in terms of deaths and serious injuries.

The HSA said that their activities to promote safety in the agricultural sector included displays at the National Ploughing Championships and their involvement in the Farm Safety Partnership.

The HSA said that they also carried out over 2,900 inspections on Irish farms as well as 61 investigations of accidents and complaints.

Martin O’Halloran, CEO of the HSA said that while enforcement was an important part of their work, awareness and information campaigns were also needed to complement the inspections activity.

“Last year we targeted farming, vehicles, safety in small businesses, amongst others, and hopefully this approach will have a long-term positive effect on occupational safety and health,” said Martin Halloran.