As Ireland marked its first National Farm Safety Awareness Day its Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney, welcomed the initiative to encourage farmers to “farm safely”.
The campaign, led by the Irish Farmers’ Association, is aimed at reducing agricultural accidents and fatalities. Fourteen lives have been lost in farm accidents this year so far – a 70% increase on the number at the same time last year.
Mr Coveney said: “Farming continues to be the most dangerous occupation in Ireland, with an average of 20 fatalities per year over the past four years.”
“A farmyard can seem like a playground to a child’s eyes particularly during the summer holiday months. However, children can’t be expected to anticipate the dangers of playing there.”
Mr Coveney said “great care” is needed to mitigate the risks of tragic accidents.
“One of the first steps in helping to achieve a safe farm is for farmers to adhere to the Farm Safety Code of practice and to review their Farm Risk Assessment,” he commented.
The main causes of fatalities are tractors, machinery and drowning.
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