From:Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture, Niall Collins TD, urged farmers to get involved in Farm Safety Week by reviewing safety hazards on their farms.

This year, the focus of Farm Safety Week is people, because every incident changes a life. Too many farming families are living with life-changing impacts of serious injuries.

Speaking in support of Farm Safety Week, Minister Heydon said:

“Farming has a poor safety record, accounting for almost 40% of all workplace fatalities over the past decade. This brings home the importance of taking all necessary steps to ensure farms are safe for everyone who comes in the gate. I am urging farmers to take the time to review their Farm Safety Code of Practice and carry out any necessary maintenance and repairs without delay.”

As farmers review their Code of Practice, they should be asking themselves: ‘Am I doing enough to prevent an incident on my farm, and what changes do I need to make to improve safety?’ This includes looking at daily routines, identifying essential repairs and maintenance and specific training needs, such as quad training.

“Incidents involving farm vehicles and machinery, livestock and falls from height account for most fatal and non-fatal incidents on Irish farms. Every farmer must get into the practice of doing a walkaround check every morning before using farm vehicles and machinery. Sometimes simple actions like cleaning windows and adjusting mirrors to improve visibility may be all that is needed to ensure that farm vehicles are ready for the day’s work ahead.”

Minister Collins also highlighted the risks posed by livestock:

“I urge farm families to always be vigilant around livestock as even 'quiet' animals can be unpredictable. Every farmer must take extra care during the summer months when children are on holidays and where many of us are out and about enjoying the countryside. I urge parents to keep children away from work areas and to be safety conscious over the summer.”

Highlighting the Government’s commitment to supporting farmers to invest in farm safety, Minister Collins added:

“The greatest investment a farmer can make regarding farm safety is time - time to identify hazards and time to implement corrective actions. Where financial investment is needed to improve safety on the farm, my Department is providing several supports to assist farmers. These supports include the TAMS3 Farm Safety Capital Investment Scheme, the National Farm Safety Measure and the Acceleration of Wear and Tear Allowances for Farm Safety Equipment Scheme.”

Farm Safety Week began on Monday, 20 July and continues to Friday, 24 July. Now in its 14th year, the campaign is led in Ireland by the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) and is supported by Government.

The Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes (TAMS 3) Farm Safety Capital Investment Scheme (FSCIS) provides 60% grant aid for a range of farm safety related investments including livestock handling equipment and facilities, livestock monitors (cameras), yard lighting and the rewiring of farm buildings. For more information visitwww.gov.ie/tams3. To date, all valid FSCIS applications have been approved.

The National Farm Safety Measure provides grant aid at a rate of 60% subject to a maximum eligible cost of €100 per PTO shaft for a maximum of four PTO shaft covers. For more information visitwww.gov.ie/farmsafety.

The Acceleration of Wear and Tear Allowances for Farm Safety Equipment Scheme provides for the Accelerated Capital Allowances of 50% per annum over two years on qualifying farm safety equipment including cattle crushes and races, sliding or roller doors for agricultural buildings, and adaptive equipment such as modified controls to enable full hand operation of a farm vehicle.

For more information visitwww.gov.ie/farmsafety