Aurivo Co-op has organised three farm walks dedicated to safety, including one in Donegal.
Organised by Aurivo Farm Services in conjunction with FBD, the events will be hosted on Monday, July 18 and Tuesday, July 19.
The Donegal walk will take place on Tuesday, July 19 at 7pm in St Johnston, County Donegal, with thanks to Jack Porter.
Aurivo has outlined that the most recent figures from the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) confirm a number of very disappointing trends in farm safety:
The fatality rate in agriculture remains far higher than any other economic sector,
The level of farm accidents is not decreasing,
Machinery has been the number one cause of farm accidents, and;
Similar accidents occur each year.
Ciaran Roche, FBD Risk Manager and Champions for Change coordinator, said: “Similar accidents occur each year, with livestock, machinery and falls from heights three of the main causes of farm deaths and we would urge farmers to stop taking risks, make farm safety a priority and become champions for change”.
“One death on a farm is one too many. Aurivo has worked with FBD and the Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland to ensure we take an active role in promoting farm safety among our farmer owners. It is also our duty as a large agri co-operative to raise the awareness of the importance of farm safety amongst our suppliers because 58% of fatal farm accidents happen on dairy farms,” said Aurivo Dairy Ingredients and Consumer Foods general manager, Eoghan Sweeney.
The farm walks will focus on three keys areas of safety, including; Tractor & vehicle safety; Livestock Safety; and Slurry / Farm Buildings / Construction Safety and Work at Height
Aurivo/ FBD Farm Safety walks will take place on the following farms:
Monday, 18 July at 7pm Ed Payne, Tulsk, County Roscommon
Tuesday 19 July at 12 noon Jim Egan, Claremorris, County Mayo
Tuesday 19 July at 7pm farm of Jack Porter, St Johnston, County Donegal
(Source – Donegal Now – 14/07/2016)