Think Farm Safety During Summer Months
The farming community are being urged to keep safety in mind. Over the last five years, more than two thirds of work-related farm fatalities occurred between the months of May and September. Farms are homes as well as workplaces and there are dangers ever present. No family wants to go through the heartbreak of having someone killed or injured.
Busy summer
Many farmers carry out a significant portion of their work during the summer and early autumn, when workloads and pressures are at their greatest. Given the intensity of the work involved, and the tough deadlines farmers are trying to meet, it’s no surprise that the majority of work-related fatal incidents occur during these busy months.
While most farmers are well aware of the real dangers that come with being in the profession, everyone who is involved in farm work – including family and friends – is urged to stop and consider the dangers before carrying out any job.
Farmers should plan their work, consider the increased risks and have measures in place to put things right.
Farmers and their families should also be more aware of the dangers for children at this time of year. Longer days, better weather and school holidays mean that the younger generation are about the farm more, and plans should be put in place to help ensure their safety.
Stop and think ‘SAFE’
Farmers should stop and think ‘SAFE’ before starting any job on the farm. The adoption of safe working practices will go a long way to preventing accidents that often have devastating consequences.
The ‘SAFE’ message addresses the four biggest causes of death and injury on farms:
- slurry
- animals
- falls from height
- equipment
You can find out more about farm safety, with further links through to relevant information, at the page below:
You can view the TV advert which forms part of the campaign.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjncsHGxLOs
More useful links
- Your child’s health and safety (parents section)
- Support and safety in your home (leisure, home and community section)
- Your child’s health (parents section)
- Health and safety at work (employment section)
- Accidents and emergencies (health and well-being section)
- Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (contacts section)
- Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents website
- Stay farm safe – HSENI website
Source: nidirect.gov.uk