Kilkenny farm to host key event of Farm Safety Week
A COUNTY Kilkenny farm is to host one of the four main events of Farm Safety Week 2019 this evening.
This evening Andrew Phelan is hosting a farm safety evening on his farm at Ballytarsney, Mooncoin Co. Kilkenny.
Farming continues to have one of the poorest safety records of any sector in Ireland. Last year, 15 people lost their lives in farm accidents, and 12 people have lost their lives so far in 2019.
Farm Safety Week, an initiative led by the Irish Farmers Association (IFA), is aimed at reducing the number of accidents on farms and changing the culture that makes unsafe farm practices socially unacceptable.
The message for this year’s campaign is: Save Lives. Think Safety – Farm Safely.
Speaking at the launch of Farm Safety Week, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed said: “There’s a lot of risks in farming but farming doesn’t have to be a dangerous occupation if you are aware of the risks.
“We have definitely seen an increased awareness of farm safety, thanks to initiatives like Farm Safety Week, and now we need to build this awareness into action and behavioural change.
“Farmers are very busy, particularly at this time of year, but it’s important to take some time to think about what could improve safety on your farm and in your work practices and then to follow through and make those changes”.
