The absolute necessity for farmers and their loved ones to put their own health and safety first at all times has, yet again, been highlighted in the wake of the most recent tragedies to befall farming families in Northern Ireland.

Eamonn Matthews, the man heading up the recently launched FarmSafe Awareness campaign, has confirmed that help is now available to provide farmers, and their families, with practical information on how they can make their farms safer places on which to work.

“Specifically, the Farm Safety Partnership has joined forces with the Focus Farms’ Centre to make the FarmSafe Awareness Programme possible. This crucially important initiative has been designed to attract participating farmers and family members from across Northern Ireland,” he added.

The FarmSafe Awareness Programme is currently being hosted by 37 Focus Farmers in conjunction with LANTRA accredited Health and Safety Instructors. LANTRA is the UK’s Sector Skills Council for land based and environmental industries. The FarmSafe Programme has been structured to allow each host farmer and accompanying instructor coordinate a specifically developed practical, farm safety demonstration and seminar.

Eamonn Matthews again: “The events have been designed to highlight all of the key safety issues that have a direct bearing on farm businesses here in Northern Ireland. They are very practical in nature and will serve to primarily encourage farmers to ‘think’ and ‘act’ safe as they go about their day-to-day activities.

“We are also using venues such as Orange Halls, GAA Clubs and community venues to facilitate the needs of those attending the seminars. Timing is also totally flexible. Both daytime, weekend and evening schedules will be included, again to meet the requirements of every farming family in Northern Ireland.”

All of the Focus Farm hosts adhere to the highest health and safety standards within their own businesses and have been specifically trained to answer any related issues that arise during the visits.

Eamonn Matthews concluded: “It is vitally important that at least one member of a farming family attends an upcoming seminar. They have been designed to illustrate the consequences of a serious on-farm accident, both in terms of the problems caused for the business and the ensuing family trauma.

“But more than that, they will serve to encourage farmers to take that extra 30 seconds to work through the safety implications associated with every farming-related activity.”

For information enquiries on the FarmSafe Awareness campaign, please contact the Focus Farm Centre at 0845 026 7536, or through the website at www.countrysiderural.co.uk.

(Source – Farming Life – 07/08/2013)

 

 Please Take Note:

MED in conjunction with the Agri-Rural Partnership are hosting a Farmsafe Awareness Event in the Wark Hall, Belleek, on Thursday, September 5^th at 7.00pm. The course which is free lasts approx. 2.5 hours, and refreshments will be served. If you are interested in attending please contact the MED Office, Donegal Road, Ballyshannon ASAP, or ring 071 9858252 as numbers are limited. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Farmer Killed by Fumes After Dropping his Phone in Silage

A farmer has died after he dropped his mobile phone in some silage and was overcome by fumes when he tried to retrieve it.

Michael O’Keeffe (59), the former regional president of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) in the north-east, died on Friday when he inhaled fumes from plastic-covered silage on his farm in Kells, Co Meath.

It is understood he dropped his phone and was overcome when he went to get it.

Mr O’Keeffe was a former member of the society’s national management council and former president of the Oriel region, which covers Louth, Meath, Cavan and Monaghan.

His period as regional president expired in June, when he went to visit his son in Australia.

He was a member of the national co-ordinating committee, which oversees the day-to-day work of the society.

Liam Reilly, who succeeded Mr O’Keeffe as SVP regional president, said he was a “gentleman to his fingertips”.

“He was available on the phone day and night for me, and at a minute’s notice he would have driven from Kells to Dundalk – he was always there,” he said.

“He was giving up his time day and night for the society.”

Mr Reilly said he is still trying to come to terms with the shocking news.

“I still don’t really believe it,” he said. “He was such a gentleman. He had such a great commitment and had great empathy for the society and the work that we do.

“He was very generous. He believed that if there is need out there, we need to address that need.”

MISSED

SVP media spokesman Jim Walsh said Mr O’Keeffe would be sadly missed.

“He was a smashing character, larger than life with a lot of time for everybody and he’s really going to be sorely missed,” he said.

“The whole society and everyone who knew him are shocked by the news.”

Mr O’Keeffe, who lost one of his legs from the knee down in a farming accident several years ago, is survived by his wife Ann-Marie and their three children.

His body is expected to be released to the family today after a post-mortem is completed.

(Source – Irish Independent – Fiona Ellis – 12/08/2013)