Actions to prevent farm accidents

Farm accidents can have an instant impact on the farmer, the farm family and the farm business, so it is important to take action to prevent them. Francis Bligh, Teagasc Health and Safety Specialist, explains more.

If you want to make a change, you have to be the change – but how?

The farming sector urgently needs people who have the courage to both practise and lead practical farm health and safety improvements. Everyone should work every day to ask the questions: Is this safe? How can this work be done in a safer way? This is in the best interests of farmers, helping to protect themselves, their families and all who work on farms from the detrimental, and sometimes fatal, effects of farm accidents and ill health.

Farm family safety

Passing on safety values to young people in the farming sector is also very important. Recent Irish research, however, has found that the influence of family, friends or farmers on the safety attitudes of agricultural science students was largely negative. This led to a low perception of risk and underestimation of farm dangers.

This finding aligns with a growing body of research highlighting that young farmers model their behaviours on older or more experienced farmers. A Canadian study has shown that where a farmer takes high risks, the risk levels for their children and young workers are also heightened. Thus, leadership and good example are essential to improving safety culture into the future. We must all see this as our responsibility.

Encouraging safe methods of working

Teagasc advisors will be supporting several events to highlight key safety messages for farm families across the country today, Thursday 23 July.

• Farm Safety Focus Event at Leahy’s Open Farm, Co. Cork
• IFA ‘Field of Her Own – Empowering the Women of Agriculture’ Event at Coolamber House & Gardens, Co. Westmeath
• DAFM International Year of the Woman Farmer Event at Abbey Hotel, Co. Roscommon

Further information on how to take action to prevent a farm accident:

• Follow #FarmSafetyWeek on social media
• Managing farm safety and health video series
• Health and Safety Authority

Follow Farm Safety Week on Teagasc Daily and follow the hashtag #FarmSafetyWeek on social media throughout the week as we share research, practical advice and insights to help create safer, healthier and more sustainable farms.