A report released by the Health and Safety Authority has revealed an increase of 127% in fatal accidents on Irish farms in 2010. The number of deaths in the agriculture industry rose from 11 in 2009 to 25 in 2010 and represents more than half of all workplace fatalities occurring in Ireland.
Commenting on the high fatal accident rate in agriculture, Chief Executive of the HSA, Mr. Martin O´Halloran stated “Farming is a difficult and challenging occupation, many involved are self-employed and the pressures that farmers are under can be intense at times. However, the fact is that the types of farm accidents that are causing deaths and serious accidents, such as those involving machinery and livestock, can be prevented.”
He also urged farmers and farm proprietors to follow the example of the construction industry, which has seen a substantial drop in workplace fatalities (from 10 to 6 in 2010), and which Mr. O´Halloran attributed to everybody “buying-in” to the concept of health and safety. Reaffirming the HSA policy that increased compliance results in a sustained reduction in accidents, Mr O´Halloran announced an increase in planned farm inspections in 2011 from 1,700 (in 2010) to a minimum of 3,000.
Acknowledging that many types of farm accidents which cause death and serious injury can be prevented, Mr. O’Halloran concluded, “We want to work with farmers by taking a sensible approach to health and safety management. We will support those that genuinely want to improve and take enforcement action against those that refuse to do so”.