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New national farm safety plan
The Farm Safety Partnership launched a new Farm Safety Action Plan for 2021 - 2024 yesterday.
The plan, which "aims to reduce the level of fatalities, serious injuries and ill health in the agriculture sector", was drafted by the Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee, which advises the Health and Safety Authority.
Chair of the FSPAC, Ciaran Roche, noted "Introducing behavioural change in relation to health and safety for farmers will be a key part of achieving a sustained reduction on the numbers of fatal and serious injuries in the sector".
According to the HSA, over the past decade more people died in agriculture compared with any other economic sector.
Out of the 495 work-related fatalities in Ireland during 2011-2020, 208 occurred in the agriculture sector.
51% of victims were over the age of 65.
21 of the victims were under the age of 21.
The plan focuses on 5 critical areas:
- Behaviour, Education and Training
- Health and Vulnerable Persons
- Tractor, High Risk Machinery
- Livestock Handling
- Buildings, Work at Height
Ciaran Roche, Chair of the Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee, joined Clem Ryan on this morning's 'Kildare Today':
Kildare South TD & Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for Farm Safety, Martin Heydon attended the launch.