Staying safe on a beef farm

Francis Bligh MJ Kelly Diana van Doorn David Meredith

High standards of safety, health and welfare can greatly support the creation of a safe working environment. Farmer health and farm safety are closely linked. Physical health, stress and mental health, fatigue, burnout and sleep problems can impact farmer wellbeing and increase the risk of a farm accident. Protecting your health and wellbeing, knowing your legal duties on-farm and knowing the supports available to you, are key in maintaining a safe working environment.

Legal duty to complete a Risk Assessment

All workplaces, including farms, have a legal duty under Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (SHWW) legislation to conduct a Risk Assessment to ensure that work is carried out safely. The ‘green covered’ Risk Assessment Document is available to accompany the Farm Safety Code of Practice. It is a legal requirement to complete this document annually, and when major changes occur to farming systems.

BeSMART.ie can help you create a safety statement for your farm

BeSMART.ie is a free online safety statement and risk assessment tool. The ‘Beef Farm’ business type is the latest addition to the 300+ business types available. BeSmart.ie provides the ability to save, progress, complete and review safety statements later, and manage action lists online. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) does not have access to the end user’s information (i.e., risk assessments and safety information). Just like other alternative methods of recording a farm risk assessment, you provide the HSA with a copy of the document if they ask for it as part of an inspection.

Managing your workload

Workload is a key driver of lifestyle. Work, rest and leisure should be balanced to have a healthy lifestyle in the longer term. Research shows that many farmers work excessively long hours and seldom take a break from the farm.  It is important to review where your farm work time is going and to plan changes if you cannot make time for rest.

Sleep: the foundation of safe farming

Are you getting enough sleep? A recent Irish study found that almost one quarter of farmers reported burnout and half had sleep issues. Sleeping ≤5 hours per night increases farm accident risk 2.4 times. Adults who regularly sleep ≤5 hours per night have a significantly greater risk of heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure compared with those who sleep 7–8 hours. Getting 7–8 hours of sleep for adults helps the body heal, restores energy, strengthens the immune system, lowers inflammation, repairs muscles, and improves physical performance, coordination, and focus. All these factors are important for carrying out everyday farming tasks effectively and safely. Sticking to a workable routine, including going to bed at a regular time, limiting screen use late at night, avoiding caffeine before bed, and allowing enough time for rest after long working days, can help improve sleep quality.

Diet: what you eat affects more than your waistline

Diet and weight control are vital for health. Findings from an Irish study indicate that these are areas needing attention to prevent cardiovascular disease and cancers. This same study showed that 86 % of male farmers were overweight or obese, compared with 68 % of Irish men nationally. Being overweight increases the physical strain on joints and muscles, restricts movement and balance, and raises the risk of injury on the farm. Research has shown that male farmers with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above have three times the risk of injury and five times the risk of recurring injuries. Regarding the diet of farmers, it was reported that 60% consumed fried food more than once weekly, 46% consumed red meat and 17% consumed processed meats, most days. Fruit and vegetable consumption was low, with 94% eating less than five portions daily, while consumption of sugary/salty snacks between meals was high (60%). Small changes can make a real difference: swapping sugary snacks with fruit, increasing vegetable portions and reducing fried food are practical starting points. The HSE Healthy Eating Guidelines provide practical guidance on making dietary changes that include balanced food choices.

Exercise: raising your heart rate for health

Irish research has shown that farmers achieve more than the internationally recommended 10,000 steps per day but that they also have a high sitting time of over eight hours per day. Furthermore, farmers do not get enough moderate-intensity exercise, which is important for health. A survey of over 500 farmers at the National Ploughing Championships (NPC) in 2025 found that back, joint and muscle problems were the most reported occupational health concern, with 42% reporting a moderate to major impact on their ability to work. Regular exercise helps protect against musculoskeletal problems as well as cardiovascular disease.  At least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity five days per week (or 150 minutes per week) is recommended. This may include brisk walking, cycling or swimming: activities that cause your breathing to quicken, but leaves you still able to talk, although you may sweat a little.

Health and farming safely: understanding the connections

Physical health, mental health, farming practices, farm safety and lifestyle are all inter-connected. For instance, farmers in poor health are more likely to suffer accidents. These risks do not work in isolation: cardiovascular conditions, musculoskeletal problems, poor mental health and sleep difficulties each independently increase the likelihood of a farm accident and frequently occur together. The 2025 NPC survey also found that farmers experiencing significant work-related stress were between three and six times more likely to report a significant physical health condition. One in five farmers was found to be experiencing high levels of both health and stress at the same time. Controlling the workload, taking breaks, adequate exercise, diet and weight control are all associated with positive mental health. The challenge lies in making the changes to reap the benefits. Connect with some person or group who can assist in making positive changes. Before embarking on major changes, always consult your GP for a check-up and advice.

Positive mental health and wellbeing

We can all go through low points from time-to-time in our lives and it is common to experience symptoms related to stress, anxiety and depression. It is important to recognise the symptoms of these conditions in oneself and to seek support.  The 2025 NPC survey also found that 43% of farmers identified mental health services specifically designed for farmers as a healthcare priority. Teagasc have leaflets available entitled “Positive Mental Health in Farming” and “Sowing seeds of support”, while the HSA and the Farm Safety Partnership have published a booklet called: “Farmers’ Health and Wellbeing – A guide to staying healthy while farming”. There are several organisations that promote positive mental wellbeing in Ireland. These include Mental Health Ireland, Samaritans Ireland and Embrace Farm, who support farm families after a farm accident or ill health.

Preventing farm vehicle and machinery accidents

Vehicle and machinery-related deaths account for 46 % of all farm deaths. Fatality data shows that most accidents occur due to being crushed or struck. An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or quad bike is a useful machine on farms for travel, but they have a high risk of death. Between 2014 and 2024 there have been 10 farm fatalities involving ATVs. Before purchasing or replacing an ATV check the market to identify alternative options. There is an increasing trend towards people considering a slightly larger Utility Vehicle (UTV) with a cab or roll over protection that will carry two people. In terms of legal requirements, under Regulation: S.I. No. 619 of 2021, all operators using an ATV/quad for work must have undergone an ATV training course provided by a registered provider to a QQI standard or equivalent before using it. The law also places a requirement on the operator to carry out a risk assessment of ATV operation and to wear personal protective equipment (including a helmet).

As per the Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Industrial Trucks all users of telescopic telehandlers on farms must complete formal training. The HSA warns against using non-integrated platforms or “baskets” for lifting people. Only integrated working platforms, where the controls are in the basket, should be used for working at height, and only when necessary.

Preventing accidents with cattle

On Irish farms, livestock deaths make up 21% of all deaths and 42% of farm accidents. Farmers are advised to pause and take five seconds to establish the animal’s temperament before undertaking animal-related tasks. Don’t rush in. Use calving facilities, physical barriers like calving gates and keep a bull’s temperament under constant review.

Preventing deaths with slurry

Slurry and water account for 10% of farm deaths with the majority of these being drowning. Particular care is needed when slurry access points are open and physical guarding needs to be put in place. Slurry gases are a lethal hazard. Hydrogen sulphide is released when slurry is agitated and in calm weather can be present at lethal levels.

Farm building and construction safety

To ensure building work is planned, managed and adequately supervised, it is a legal requirement to make key appointments (i.e. formally selecting and appointing a person to take responsibility for project safety management) prior to construction work starting. By making appointments, a farmer passes on the responsibilities of the safety management of the project to the Project Supervisor Design Process (PSDP) and Project Supervisor Construction Stage (PSCS) and this will reduce the likelihood of accidents on projects.  A booklet, “How to Make Construction Appointments for Your Farm” has been issued to all farmers by the HSA and Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) in association with the farm safety and construction safety partnerships to the HSA.

Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive

Farmers who apply pesticides must be registered with DAFM and have a Professional pesticide users (PU) Number. Famers are classified as professional pesticide users. To register, a farmer must have completed a training course provided by an approved training provider. All sprayers greater than 3 m boom width must be tested. A list of approved sprayer testers is available on the DAFM website

Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3)

Grant aid is available through the various TAMS Schemes with a wide range of eligible equipment.  It is recommended to discuss a TAMS application before submission with an advisor to optimise the benefit.

Accelerated Capital Allowances for Farm Safety Equipment

An accelerated capital allowance programme for farm safety and disability adaptation equipment is in place. This scheme allows for accelerated capital allowances of 50% per annum over two years for certain eligible equipment. The accelerated capital allowance scheme now complements the 60% grant aid on listed items, which is available under TAMS 3. Eligible equipment includes; fixed livestock handling equipment, calving gates, anti-backing gates, livestock monitors, sliding doors, chemical storage cabinets, big-bag lifters, quick hitch mechanisms for rear and front three-point linkage, as well as adaptive equipment to assist farmers with disabilities.

Safety of children on farms

The following precautions need to be considered when children are present on a farm:

• Provide a safe and secure play area for children away from all work activities. Where children are not in a secure play area a high level of adult supervision is needed.
• Children should not be allowed to access heights.
• Action should be taken to keep children away from dangerous areas such as slurry tanks. All open water tanks, wells and slurry tanks should be fenced off.
• Give children clear instruction on farm safety issues.
• Children to be carried in the tractor cab (only permitted when aged 7 or older) need to wear a seat belt.

For a child-friendly way of discussing farm safety with children the booklet “Stay Safe with Jesse” is a key reference.

Compiled and edited by Mark McGee and Paul Crosson, Teagasc, Grange Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, and first published in BEEF2026 – Driving Sustainable Performance, additional reading from BEEF2026 is available here.