The Health and Safety Authority has identified a growing trend of deaths among the elderly in farm accidents.
Marking the start of Farm Safety Week, the HSA said that the farming sector has an appalling safety record. Fourteen people were killed in farm accidents last year and half of those were over 65.
So far this year, of the five people killed on farms, four were over 65. Crush injuries or entanglement in machinery accounts for the majority of accidents on farms.
HSA Chairman Jim Lyons said, ‘there are too many needless deaths and injuries on farms’. He highlighted the importance of completing farm safety self-assessment documents, which will help prevent accidents and protect lives on farms.
As past of Farm Safety Week the focus this year is on safety for the elderly, safety statements, tractor maintenance and machine guarding, especially PTO shafts.
A national radio campaign is being launched to highlight the concerns and the HSA will also have a targeted inspection campaign and will text alert farmers during the week.
