The event was organised by Teagasc (The Irish equivalent of the Agriculture and horticulture Development Board), FBD ( a major Irish insurer) the Irish Farm Safety Partnership and the HSA (Irish equivalent of the HSE). It was clear from the conference that the accident rate in both countries was unacceptably high. Although type and style of farm varies between the countries; both the direct causes of accidents and the underlying factors such as fatigue, stress, and age are common to both countries.
Prof Gerry Boyle – Director of Teagasc said in his opening speech that there are very few farmers in Ireland that are not aware of the dangers of farming “The main issue is surrounding taking knowledge and applying it to prevent an accident occurring” he said. He highlighted that farmers needed to be in the centre of all health and safety messages and that media have a hugely important role to play.
The conference also heard from speakers highlighting recent research such as those relating to underlying causes of accidents and how promotion of farm safety messages needed to be farmer driven and focusing on the same messages persistently and consistently
The emotional impact of a farm tragedy was conveyed by Brian Rohan who sadly lost his father to a farm accident- which spurred him on to arrange a farm safety remembrance event. The HSA also discussed some details of some recent accidents that were preventable and foreseeable.
The conference provided a useful exchange of information on farm safety across the water. The NFU will continue to promote the importance of farm safety as being essential to efficient, modern agricultural practices.