The Farm Safety Partnership (FSPAC) has launched a new farm safety action plan aimed at significantly reducing fatalities, injuries and occupational health issues in Ireland’s agricultural sector.
The advisory committee to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) launched the plan for 2025 to 2027 on Wednesday with the goal to tackle persistent safety challenges in the sector while fostering a culture of safety and wellbeing among farmers and agricultural workers.
Over the past decade, farming has accounted for approximately 38% of all workplace fatalities in Ireland, despite representing just 11% of the working population.
Launching the plan at the Teagasc Moorepark Open Day, Minister of State with responsibility for Farm Safety Michael Healy-Rae said that too many lives have been lost in incidents on Irish farms.
“The implementation of this new Farm Safety Action Plan is an essential step towards ensuring that every farmer, young or old, can return home safely at the end of each day’s work,” he said.
“I’m calling on all farmers to think safety first and not to be complacent when it comes to putting simple measures in place which can minimise the risk of an incident.”
Farm safety
Key elements of the action plan include: the promotion of cultural and behavioural changes to improve farm safety and health; protecting vulnerable groups, including children, older farmers, and migrant workers; and reducing deaths and injuries caused by high-hazard activities such as vehicle operation, livestock handling, and working at heights.
In addition, the FSPAC has established five dedicated working groups to address key risk areas: behaviour, education, and training; vulnerable persons and health; vehicles and high-risk machinery; livestock handling; farm buildings, construction, and work at height.
Mark Cullen, interim HSA CEO said: "Reducing serious farm incidents and fatalities is a shared responsibility. This plan brings together farmers, policymakers, industry experts, and educators to create safer farms for future generations.
“Together, we can build a culture of safety that protects lives and livelihoods.”
The FSPAC has established five dedicated working groups to address key risk areas: behaviour, education, and training; vulnerable persons and health; vehicles and high-risk machinery; livestock handling; farm buildings, construction, and work at height.
Actions
The new action plan also includes innovative measures such as virtual reality training, enhanced education for children and young farmers, and practical supports for older farmers, who remain the most vulnerable demographic.
Ciaran Roche, chairperson of the FSPAC, added: "Irish farmers have made good progress in improving safety awareness and adopting safety measures, but there is much more to do.
“With a new focus on cultural and behavioural change, practical skills training, and targeted initiatives for vulnerable groups, this action plan charts a path toward healthier, safer farming communities.”
Read more
Revealed: farm safety projects to receive over €1.6m
Share your views: are you in favour of a tractor driving test?
The Farm Safety Partnership (FSPAC) has launched a new farm safety action plan aimed at significantly reducing fatalities, injuries and occupational health issues in Ireland’s agricultural sector.
The advisory committee to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) launched the plan for 2025 to 2027 on Wednesday with the goal to tackle persistent safety challenges in the sector while fostering a culture of safety and wellbeing among farmers and agricultural workers.
Over the past decade, farming has accounted for approximately 38% of all workplace fatalities in Ireland, despite representing just 11% of the working population.
Launching the plan at the Teagasc Moorepark Open Day, Minister of State with responsibility for Farm Safety Michael Healy-Rae said that too many lives have been lost in incidents on Irish farms.
“The implementation of this new Farm Safety Action Plan is an essential step towards ensuring that every farmer, young or old, can return home safely at the end of each day’s work,” he said.
“I’m calling on all farmers to think safety first and not to be complacent when it comes to putting simple measures in place which can minimise the risk of an incident.”
Farm safety
Key elements of the action plan include: the promotion of cultural and behavioural changes to improve farm safety and health; protecting vulnerable groups, including children, older farmers, and migrant workers; and reducing deaths and injuries caused by high-hazard activities such as vehicle operation, livestock handling, and working at heights.
In addition, the FSPAC has established five dedicated working groups to address key risk areas: behaviour, education, and training; vulnerable persons and health; vehicles and high-risk machinery; livestock handling; farm buildings, construction, and work at height.
Mark Cullen, interim HSA CEO said: "Reducing serious farm incidents and fatalities is a shared responsibility. This plan brings together farmers, policymakers, industry experts, and educators to create safer farms for future generations.
“Together, we can build a culture of safety that protects lives and livelihoods.”
The FSPAC has established five dedicated working groups to address key risk areas: behaviour, education, and training; vulnerable persons and health; vehicles and high-risk machinery; livestock handling; farm buildings, construction, and work at height.
Actions
The new action plan also includes innovative measures such as virtual reality training, enhanced education for children and young farmers, and practical supports for older farmers, who remain the most vulnerable demographic.
Ciaran Roche, chairperson of the FSPAC, added: "Irish farmers have made good progress in improving safety awareness and adopting safety measures, but there is much more to do.
“With a new focus on cultural and behavioural change, practical skills training, and targeted initiatives for vulnerable groups, this action plan charts a path toward healthier, safer farming communities.”
Read more
Revealed: farm safety projects to receive over €1.6m
Share your views: are you in favour of a tractor driving test?
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: