Elderly farmers most likely to be involved in fatal work related accidents

with the highest number of fatalities in 2017, with six each.

There was one child fatality (agriculture). Of 47 fatalities reported, 18 were self-employed persons, 15 were employees, seven non-workers and seven family workers.

HSA Chief Executive, Martin O’Halloran, says that a collective effort is required to reduce the high level of farm accidents: “Everyone involved in farming must aim to make whatever changes are necessary, to work practices, to stop these accidents occurring each year. That means safety must be paramount when carrying out any work, especially with tractors or farm machinery.”

Elderly farmers particularly at risk: “We have seen fourteen elderly farmers killed this year, many of them working alone at the time of the accident. Finding supports for elderly farmers or farmers working alone is something that needs to be addressed. The Health and Safety Authority will continue to do its part through inspection, awareness raising and education but safe farming has to happen every day, not just after an inspection. We need to make this a fundamental part of farming culture, until it is we will continue to have devastation and carnage on our farms.” Many serious accidents involve vehicles: “We have over 2 million people at work and this is a positive development. However, this will lead to increased traffic and movement of vehicles in workplaces creating hazards that must be managed. Regardless of the sector, where we have people and vehicles moving in close proximity, the danger is elevated. These dangers are greatly reduced when everyone is aware of the hazards and safe systems of work are implemented.”