Farm Safety Week 2024
Farm Safety Week 2024: Led by the Farm Safety Foundation (‘FSF’) from 22- 26 July
Farm Safety Week has been an important event in the farming calendar for over a decade across the UK and Ireland. This year’s focus was on:
- Underreporting of near misses;
- High number of fatal accidents;
- Improving attitudes towards farm safety;
- Drive improvements and signpost resources.
Near Misses
While you are legally required to report dangerous occurrences falling under RIDDOR[1], reporting accidents and near misses to HSENI can also save lives, time and money. Near misses allow you to identify new risks or processes that are not working for existing risks.
Fatalities
Farming has the poorest safety record of any occupation. In 2023/2024, a total of 34 people lost their lives on farms across the UK. In Northern Ireland alone, there have been 7 farm-related fatalities in the same period[2].
On the final day of Farm Safety Week (26 July 2024), a farmer was killed in an agricultural incident on his farm near Lurgan, County Armagh[3]. This comes only 6 days after the tragic death of a farmer on his farm in Dromore, County Tyrone on 20 July 2024[4]. In both incidents, investigations into the cause of death are ongoing and HSENI have been informed.
Attitude and Complacency
According to FSF research, over 80% of UK farmers believe ‘attitude’ and ‘complacency’ are major contributors to farm accidents. Although farmers may think, ‘I’ve always done it that way’, it is vital to appreciate the risks involved with:
- Slurry and slurry gas;
- Stacking bales;
- Livestock- particularly cows during calving and bulls;
- Quads and farming machinery;
- Working at height;
- Children and young people on the farm.
Resources
As part of Farm Safety Week, the FSF created The Little Book of Farm Safety to act as a safety guide and remind farmers of their legal obligations.
HSENI also have an abundance of farm safety resources on their website.
As an employer or self-employed person, you must be aware of and ensure compliance with your legal duties under the Health and Safety at Work (NI) Order 1978. You must ensure so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of persons on your farm- employees, family members, children, and visitors. There are additional regulations specific to farm safety including the Agriculture (Safety of Children and Young Persons) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006.
If you would like any further information or advice relating to farm health and safety law, please contact Declan Magee or Eilis Maguire from the Health & Safety team at Carson McDowell LLP.
*This document does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for legal advice that is tailored to your individual circumstances.
