The figures for work related deaths in 2016 which show that of the 46 fatalities across all sectors, almost half- – 21 were farm related deaths shows once again that the issue of farm safety must be taken more seriously by the authorities and more resources must be provided for realistic and effective farm safety training.
This is an issue that I have highlighted once again in recent weeks and months and as I have said on a number of occasions there are a group of farmers who have been affected personally by farm accidents who are willing to put a package together to travel around and talk to farmers about farm safety. This would make perfect sense as farmers would listen and pass heed on other farmers on this issue far quicker than men in suits with laptops using language that is hard to understand.
I am calling on the the farming organisations to back this plan and funding should be provided by the Government through Teagasc to support this initiative. The situation where so many serious accidents are taking place on our farms every year cannot continue. This is literally a matter of life and death and I will be raising this issue once again with the Minister and the Department at the earliest opportunity.
