29 Ean 2015, 12:50
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine has this morning engaged with representatives of the Health and Safety Authority on the optimum policy approaches required to reduce farm deaths.
29 January 2015
Chief Executive of the HSA Martin O’Halloran outlined to the Committee that about 20 percent of the Authority’s budget was allocated to agriculture, which comprises about six percent of the national workforce.
Committee Chairman Andrew Doyle TD says: “We thank HSA officials for agreeing to appear before the Committee at short notice. Given the 30 farm fatalities recorded in 2014, and a number of tragedies already in 2015, this was a timely meeting. Statistics indicate that those working on farms are eight times more likely to die than those in the general workplace. We were told that the trend in farm deaths correlate to areas of the country where farming is most intense, and the Committee shares the HSA concerns that risks appear particularly acute in the dairy sector. The Committee is of course acutely aware that behind all these figures are real lives around Ireland impacted by tragic farm accidents.
“Given the farming background of many Committee Members, this morning’s meeting was a constructive engagement on the policy approaches required to make our farms safer. With ever larger farm machinery and livestock, Members spoke of how the pressures brought about by intensification of farms in recent years has heightened risks to farm families. We are of the view that safety statements and presentations must be delivered in simple, sharp messaging, which would include more practical signage around farmyards. We also welcome HSA moves to follow up with insurance companies on how discounts might be given to farmers who satisfactorily carry out a certified safety audit.
“With education key to curbing these incidences, Committee is encouraged by the HSA approach in working collaboratively with farmers, through knowledge transfer groups for instance, to foster cultural change. While we acknowledge that it is difficult to isolate the underlying reasons for the spike in farm deaths in 2014, there is little doubt that the increase in production in contributing to risks. This a particular worry with the expansion in Irish agriculture envisaged in Food Harvest 2020 and in the dairy sector in particular.
“The HSA acknowledge that the cultural change required will not be brought about by a single organisation or entity. So as a Committee, we will continue to liaise closely and constructively with the HSA in ensuring the appalling levels of deaths and injuries on Irish farms can be reduced.”
View Committee Membership.
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