26 July 2024
Look after your health: Are you fit to farm?
One of this year’s Farm Safety Week topics focuses on the question: ‘Are you fit to farm?’ This topic seeks to highlight the importance of taking time out to maintain good health and wellbeing, Francis Bligh, Teagasc Health and Safety Specialist, tells us more.
Farming is a demanding occupation. It places large demands on the body – both mentally and physically – so maintaining good health and wellbeing must be prioritised. Farmers tend to ignore health warning signs at an early stage and ‘work on’. However, health decline can take place gradually, so it is important to start looking after your health as early as possible.
A health check is vital
It is important that people working in agriculture are aware of the health risks associated with farming. Signs of illness should be immediately investigated. A regular visit to the GP should be taken at least every two years. Advice from health professionals should be followed.
Many farmers also suffer with skin sensitivity, reduced lung capacity, poor vision or hearing and medical conditions that necessitate regular medication.
If you or a person working on your farm suffers an injury, it is important to ensure resumption of farming activity after the injury is planned and organised. Sufficient time must be given to allow a full recovery and avoid the potential of further injuries.
Where injuries or medical conditions have longer term effects or become chronic in nature, it is important to adjust farming activity and systems to take account of this.
Supports
In addition to availing of the services of health professionals, there are many supports available to support you to farm in a way that maintains your health.
- Teagasc advisors and agricultural consultants are available to help with decisions related to farming activity and future planning. Examples include: managing workloads; improving enterprise profitability; or availing of grants and aids.
- Embrace Farm has a dedicated support service for farm families affected by a sudden death or life changing injury. Contact can be made via telephone: 085 77 09 966 or accessing the Embrace Farm website.
- The Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine manage the Acceleration of wear and tear allowances for farm safety equipment scheme. This scheme includes supports associated with adaptive equipment to assist farmers with disabilities. More information is available here.
Mental health for farmers
Mental health is vital. Farming is a challenging occupation and farm stressors can include: isolation; time pressure; financial worry; long working hours; bureaucracy; hazardous work; and unpredictable occurrences.
Social support has been shown to both alleviate mental distress and help solve farming problems. Staying in contact with a health professional through having a regular health check-up is advised. Confidential advice and help is available from many sources and should be availed of.
Helplines available:
- Teagasc advisors and Farm Consultants are available to farmers to offer advice on farm management issues.
- Farming organisations offer services to their members.
- A person’s family doctor should be consulted regularly and when needed.
- A range of both Local and National Support Groups are available, some are listed below.
Helpful support options:
- Your Mental Health (HSE) 24/7 Information Line – Freephone: 1800-111888
- Samaritans, a free, non-judgmental listening support available 24/7. Freephone: 116123 or email: jo@samaritans.org
- Pieta, offers free therapeutic support to people in suicidal distress and those who engage in self-harm. Freephone: 1800-247247 or visit pieta.ie
- Text About It (24/7) Text free 50808
- St Patrick’s University Hospital, Dublin provides a support and information service staffed by experienced mental health nurses 9am-5pm Monday to Friday with an answering and call-back facility outside hours. You can contact the support and information service by calling 01-2493333.
Two booklets are available on the Teagasc website and in Teagasc offices, as follows: ‘Staying Fit for Farming – A Health Booklet for Farmers’ and ‘Coping with the Pressures of Farming.
Download the Staying Fit for Farming – A Health Booklet for Farms (PDF) here.
The Coping with the Pressures of Farming booklet is available here.