HSA concerned at rising rate of farming deaths

The Health and Safety Authority has said it is concerned at the rising rate of fatal accidents on farms.

Of the 43 work-related deaths in Ireland so far in 2008, 13 were in the agriculture sector.

Overall, the workplace death rate is slightly down on the 46 recorded over the same period last year.

However, there is a “substantial increase” in the rate of farming deaths. There were 11 such fatalities in the whole of 2007.

HSA chief executive Martin O’Halloran said the situation in the agriculture sector is “unacceptable”.

He said there was a notable decrease in the number of deaths last year after the HSE issued a farm safety code two years ago. A total of 18 people were killed in farm accidents in 2006.

“The reduction we saw in 2007 has now been reversed and 13 families have already experienced tragedy this year in the farming community,” Mr O’Halloran said.

“No farming job is more important than the health and safety of farmers and their families and I would strongly urge all concerned, including farming organisations and representatives, to put health and safety at the top of their priorities.”

So far this year, there have been 12 deaths in construction, five in manufacturing, four in transport and storage and two in the water supply and sewerage sector, the HSA said.

Two people working in the retail sector, which covers motor mechanics, have died, while one fisherman and two public administration and defence staff were also killed. Two other people died while working in other unspecified service activities.