Farm safety takes centre stage around the country next week, as Farm Safety Week 2017 kicks off on Monday, July 24.
Every day next week, the campaign – now in its fifth year – will focus on a different risk area each day.
Farmers will be encouraged to take some time during the week to assess the safety of routine tasks. The message for Farm Safety Week is that farm safety is a lifestyle not a slogan.
The initiative is supported by the Farm Safety Foundation, Farm Safety Partnerships, the Health and Safety Executive UK, the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland and the Health and Safety Authority of Ireland.
The first day of the week will focus on farm safety statistics, before moving on to machinery and transport on Tuesday, July 25.
Falls will be examined on Wednesday, July 26, while livestock and slurry will take priority on Thursday. The final day of the week will centre around the safety of children on farms.
Various farm safety events are expected to be organised around the country over the coming days and throughout next week.
Meanwhile, several retailers are set to offer certain discounts – which are expected to be announced later today – on safety equipment and other items during Farm Safety Week 2017.
Farming continues to have one of the poorest safety records of any sector in Ireland, according to the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA).
Despite increased awareness and discussion on safety, farmers of all ages are still taking risks when working and this needs to stop, it added.
