Written Answers. - Farm Safety Standards.
Liz McManus
Question:
65
Ms McManus
asked the
Minister for Agriculture and Food
the number of farm fatalities to date in 2003; the way it compares with the same period in 2002; the proposals to raise awareness of the dangers on farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[29216/03]
Ruairí Quinn
Question:
94
Mr. Quinn
asked the
Minister for Agriculture and Food
his views on the fact that 90% of farmers have failed to put a farm safety statement in place despite being required to do so by law; the steps he will take to have this rectified; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[29200/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 94 together.
I am concerned about the level of safety on farms. The number of people killed on farms remains unacceptably high. It is imperative that all farmers acknowledge that farming is a hazardous occupation and one that carries specific risks to themselves, their families and workers. All necessary steps to minimise risks must be taken, including the preparation of farm safety statements.
On-farm accident statistics are published on an annual basis by various bodies. To date in 2003 my Department is aware of 18 on-farm accidents that resulted in death. During the same period in 2002 there were 11 on-farm accidents that resulted in death. Clearly the statistics are a source of disappointment.
On 7 April the Health and Safety Authority commenced its farm action safety week and launched a booklet entitled Farm Action Safety Plan. It sets out a programme that covers the period 2003 to 2006. Its main objectives are as follows: to reduce on-farm accidents to below 2,000 per annum to reduce on-farm deaths by at least 50% over a five year period; to reduce health problems associated with farming such as back and respiratory problems by at least 50% over a five year period; to introduce health and safety training for farmers, farm workers and students at second and third level; to ensure that all primary schools show and discuss the contents of the Child Safe video and CD-ROM prior to school holidays; that a minimum of 1,000 farm inspections are carried out by HSA inspectors each year; that farm safety promotional campaigns, such as farm safety and child safety weeks, are continued and other appropriate campaigns are undertaken; that research is carried out in order to identify methods of improving attitudes and awareness of farm safety; and that a database on all farm accidents be developed. My Department has been involved in a number of initiatives with a view to reducing the risk and raising awareness of the dangers on farms to farmers, farm workers and their families.
In January 2002 I accepted the authority's invitation to be associated with the launch of its Guidelines on the Preparation of a Safety Statement for the Farm. They give detailed advice on how to carry out a risk assessment and prepare a safety statement. The Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989 requires farmers to prepare a safety statement and to provide appropriate safeguards on an ongoing basis to prevent accidents and ill health on the farm. The guidelines and many other farm safety information leaflets are available from the HSA. I have arranged for a farm safety training module to be included in the mandatory 20 hour training course for all participants of REPS II. Recently my Department assisted in the distribution, by the HSA, of the farm safety self assessment document for family farms. The document has been the subject of an intensive media campaign in recent weeks.
I fully support the authority's work. My Department, in conjunction with the HSA, is giving farm safety the highest priority and will continue to do so to ensure that the level of farm accidents falls significantly. Farmers must play their part by exercising vigilance on their farms at all times. The initiatives I have mentioned will help to make farm safety a priority for farmers.
