A new online farm safety tool has been launched which is designed to make people more aware of the dangers that exist on farms.
FarmSafeNet is part of a suite of activities developed by the industry led Farm Safety Partnership which, since its formation in 2012, has been combining resources and working closely with the farming community to develop a culture of safety first on farms.
Agriculture Minister Michelle O Neill is pictured at the launch of FarmSafeNet with: Back Row, left to right: Sam Campbell (Ai Services); David McConaghy (UFU); David Small (DARD Assistant Permanent Secretary); Eamonn Matthews (Ai Services) Front Row, left to right, George Mathers (CAFRE); David Cairns (NFU); Kerry McGarvey (YFCU), Keith Morrison (HSENI) & Teresa Canavan (RDC).
Speaking at the launch Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “The facts tell us that farming is our most dangerous industry and that is why members of the Farm Safety Partnership continue to work together to avoid tragic events on our farms. The four main dangers within the farming industry are working with slurry, animals, falls from height and working with equipment. There is a lot of useful information and advice available on the FarmSafeNet website on these four areas and I would urge all those working or living on a farm to visit to site to learn more.”
The Farm Safety Partnership launched its second Action Plan in April 2014 covering the period 2014 to 2017. The introduction of this easy-to-use and accessible online tool will build on the good progress already achieved through the on-farm FarmSafe awareness events and the wider work of the Partnership.
The aim of this action plan is to influence future behaviour so that farmers, their families, and their employees are capable, motivated, and able to work safely to reduce accidents on farms.
A number of interventions are contained in the action plan to achieve this aim and will cover the four areas of information and promotion of SAFE working, training and education, motivating good behaviour and discouraging poor practice, and support and assistance.
The Ulster Farmers’ Union has welcomed the launch of FarmSafeNet.
UFU president Ian Marshall said: “More often than we would like we are reminded that farms are busy and potentially dangerous workplaces; that is why the Union is part of the Farm Safety Partnership which aims to raise awareness about the importance of farm safety.
“I would encourage all farmers to make farm safety a priority and the FarmSafeNet online tool can help. It has a lot of useful information and advice in relation to the four main on farm dangers: working with slurry, animals, falls from height and working with equipment. There is also a farm safety quiz, where upon completion you will receive a certificate with a unique reference number.”
He added: “I would strongly encourage farmers to take the quiz and hold on to the certificate as you will be able to use it to show that your commitment to farm safety when accessing future DARD services or schemes.”
To access FarmSafeNet simply go online and access www.farmsafenet.org, view the videos, read the resources available and complete the quiz.
On completion of the quiz you will receive a certificate containing a unique reference number which you will be advised to retain for future reference.
You will be able to use this as evidence to support your commitment to farm safety when accessing future DARD services or schemes.
(Source – Farming Life – 08/07/2014)