HSA Begin National Inspection Campaign On Farm Vehicles

Monday, 17 April 2023 11:26

By Caoimhe Harney

This inspection campaign will focus in particular on the safe use of tractors and quad bikes.

The Health and Safety Authority is beginning a two-week national inspection campaign on farm vehicles.

The campaign comes as machinery activity on farms increases, ahead of the beginning of the silage season.

There have been 34 deaths in vehicle-related incidents on farms over a five-year period.

This inspection campaign will focus in particular on the safe use of tractors and ATVs, better known as quad bikes.

The authority said 18 of the 34 vehicle-related deaths on farms in the last five years involved tractors, while four involved quad bikes.

From this morning, HSA inspectors will make spots checks on farms and encourage farmers to take the time to plan for the safe use of all machinery, to ensure those using machinery are properly trained and competent and to ensure vehicles are mechanically sound.

Inspectors will also highlight that mandatory training and helmet use on quad bikes will be introduced from November this year.

The HSA said the majority of injuries and fatalities with farm machinery involve a combination of operator error, poor maintenance procedures and a lack of training.

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