Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2019
259. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of fatal accidents in workplaces caused by animals, in particular fatal accidents on farms due to livestock in each of the years 2009 to 2018. [17517/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health and Safety Authority (HSA) tracks and analyses trends in fatal farm accidents and has produced detailed charts indicating the prevalence of fatalities due to livestock. The charts at the link show that livestock related deaths make up 16% of all workplace deaths in the Agriculture Sector.
Further analyses of the farm fatalities involving livestock shows that Cow/Heifer attacks account for the highest proportion (55%), which in the main occur during the calving period.
Bulls represent 15% of Livestock deaths as do Cattle, with Horses making up 9% of livestock deaths.
The HSA continues to focus on Livestock issues within agriculture. The HSA has developed an extensive suite of guidance materials and runs extensive safety campaigns including specific livestock safety campaigns. In February of this year, the HSA, in conjunction with the Irish Farmers Association, ran a two week safety inspection campaign and promotional activities focused on livestock handling facilities on farms. The HSA’s inspection campaigns indicate that livestock handling facilities are generally good with the risks of injury arising when handling facilities are either not used or not used properly.
The HSA will continue to focus on the encouragement of safe livestock management across all of its farming related activities in 2019.
