Education campaign to cut farm deaths unveiled

An educational campaign aimed at reducing the number of accidental deaths on Irish farms was unveiled today.

In the joint project by Teagasc and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), a series of lectures for farmers will be held around the country to help them improve safety on their land.

Twenty four people, including seven children, were killed on farms last year. Another 3,600 were injured. Since 1995, 110 adults and 36 children have died in agricultural accidents.

The HSA said an Irish farm is "one of the most dangerous workplaces in the country". It has named agriculture as a priority sector in 2002 and said it is committed to completing 1300 farm inspections by the end of the year.

Events will be held in Athenry and Kilkenny next week to illustrate good safety practices with machinery, livestock, slurry and chemicals. They will also focus on proper lifting practices.

Training courses on tractor-driving skills for 14- to 16-year-olds and also a specialised course on handling all-terrain vehicles will be available at the venues.

Mr Tom Beegan, director-general of the HSA, said: "Prevention doesn't just happen, it demands time and effort but the rewards are great and I would remind all farmers that it is in their own interests and in their children's interests to take appropriate safety measures.

"All the awareness raising and all the promotion in the world will not save lives unless it is translated into positive action and a change in attitude and behaviour on the ground," he said.