‘Farm Safety Live’ was delighted to make its return to the Tullamore Show on Sunday 14th August 2022. Officially opened by Minister Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Minister Martin Heydon, Minister of State with special responsibility for farm safety, the message of farm safety was well-received throughout the day.
The focus of the stand was to deliver interactive farm safety demonstrations with the aim of getting farm families to think about safety on their farm and action small changes to make their farms and fields safer places to work.
Practical tips were showcased through a number of different demonstrations including PTO safety, livestock safety, tractor and vehicle safety and quad bike safety. With the added dimension of using operator point of view cameras and a large screen, the crowd benefited from viewing farm safety in a more submersed experience.
Unfortunately, with 197 fatalities in the last 10 years, the agricultural sector remains Ireland’s most dangerous working environment.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue TD commented, “The Farm Safety Live demonstration at the Tullamore Show was a really excellent and practical example of the importance of farm safety. Farming is the greatest and most rewarding profession and that is why we take such a proactive approach to farm safety in the Department. My colleague Minister Martin Heydon has taken a real leadership role in this space and will continue to do so. I congratulate the organisers for starting the day on such an important message. It is absolutely critical that safety is at the core of everything we do at farm level. You are only ever one step away from being in danger. Planning is necessary to ensure you and everyone on the farm stays safe.”
Minister of State with special responsibility for farm safety Martin Heydon added: “I’m heartened to see that the Tullamore Show has a dedicated farm safety stand. We should never miss the opportunity when we have farmers and their families gathered together to remind them of the risks on farms. The fact is that Irish farmers are seven times more likely to die in a work place incident than any of the other two million workers in Ireland. We’re asking everyone to take away one tip, bring it home to your own farm and apply it. I commend the Farm Safety Live organisers on this initiative here and their ongoing work.”
Peter Slattery, Manager at FRS Training and MC on the day commented, “We are delighted to be here today to deliver on the important message of farm safety. Each year a new generation is exposed to the ever-present risks on family farms. It is essential to continuously highlight farm dangers and provide training aimed at developing a risk control culture. We’re currently working on a project with the HSA, FBD Insurance, Teagasc, IFA and FRS Network that aims to deliver free innovative online health & safety training to farm families.”
Pat Griffin, Senior Inspector, HSA said, “Today is a great opportunity to communicate with farmers and farm families. Over the last 10-20 years there has been an average of 21 fatalities per year on Irish farms. While there was an improvement last year and again this year, I want to see zero farm fatalities on Irish farms. We’re here today to combine our efforts and give those in farming simple tips on how to farm safely.”
Ciaran Roche, Risk Manager, FBD Insurance, also commented, “Real change in the farming community will take all of us working together. Culture and behaviour change is what is needed. We know the risks but it’s about making the change. Think safety, take a simple message away from today, pass that message on to someone at home and that might save a life.”
Farm Safety Live is proudly brought to you by FRS Training, the Health and Safety Authority and FBD Insurance. Keep up to date on Farm Safety Live at www.facebook.com/farmsafetylive.