We’re coming to that stage of the year where, bit by bit, the cattle will begin to be housed, minute by minute, the evenings get that little darker and, evening by evening, the fires are more needed. If ever there is a time to be more careful, more conscience and more alert about farm safety, it is now.
Eleven people have been killed in farm-related accidents since the new year, closing in on last year’s total of 16. Both ESB Networks and the HSA have been proactive in highlighting the issue.
Advice for Shortening Days
As autumn approaches, it is vital that children stay safe and are visible in the farmyard. With darker evenings and cattle housed, there is plenty of machinery activity each night. While it is advised to ensure the yard and shed areas are well lit up, it is also advised to wear high-visibility jackets to ensure you have a greater chance of being seen. In addition, this may help in darker areas of the yard (though all areas should be well lit and darker areas avoided if machinery is operating around them).
High-visibility jackets should be worn by children who may be on the farm (accompanied by an adult, of course). It must also be said that vigilance should be taken at all times by people operating machinery in the yard at night and the operator must be fully aware of who is in the farmyard.
High-Visibility Jacket Distribution
ESB networks have recently distributed 80,000 high-vis jackets. The initiative was undertaken in collaboration with the Road Safety Authority to ensure people are seen on the roads, but equally can be used on farmyards.
In recent weeks, child fatalities on farms and roads have been highlighted in the media. In early August, an eight-year-old girl was fatally injured on a farm in Mayo. Just last week, an 11-year-old boy was killed when the bike he was cycling collided with a car. Safety in both areas is vital and the work done by the likes of ESB Networks and the RSA ensures that awareness is raised on the issue of safety.
The 80,000 high-vis jackets “focus attention” according to Gerry Mooney, manager, safety and organisational transformation at ESB Networks, who believes that safety is an absolute priority.
“We are proud to team up with the RSA again this year to promote road safety awareness among our youngest road users, their schools and indeed their families. The nationwide campaign will include the distribution of 80,000 high-visibility vests to all children starting school in September and focus attention on the importance of road safety. Our partnership with the RSA also reflects ESB Networks’ ongoing commitment to promoting safety at all times.
“This initiative is part of our wider Stay Safe, Stay Clear electrical safety campaign which we are promoting throughout schools in the Republic of Ireland,” Gerry says.
ESB Networks also have a stand at the Ploughing, which will have a designated children’s section aimed at educating kids on the dangers of electricity, as Arthur Byrne, ESB Networks Safety manager explains: “At this year’s National Ploughing Championship, we will have an area aimed at educating children about farm safety around electricity. There will be a range of games and competitions to ensure that the kids learn and enjoy the experience as much as possible.”
HSA Advice for Shortening Days
With the autumn well under way and the evenings getting shorter, Pat Griffin of the Health and Safety Authority has some tips for farmers.
According to Pat: “With shorter working days, there’s always the temptation to try to do too much or get that one last job finished before it gets dark. I’d urge farmers to take their time, carry out their work in a safe way, don’t cut corners and if under pressure, remember, tomorrow is another day.”
The HSA will also have a stand at this year’s Ploughing Championships, which will contain further advice and guidance on the topic.
HSA Farm Safety Advice
• Plan your day ahead, do the difficult jobs first when you are freshest and get help if necessary; some jobs just can’t be done on your own.• Keep all machinery and tractors well maintained and in good working order, particularly the braking systems.• Avoid any work at height on roofs or on ladders, especially in wet or windy weather, and consider getting in a competent contractor.• Keep children safe and away from danger, make sure they are supervised at all times when on the farmyard.• If you’re working at dusk or in poor light, wear a high-vis vest and keep a charged mobile with you at all times. CL
We’re coming to that stage of the year where, bit by bit, the cattle will begin to be housed, minute by minute, the evenings get that little darker and, evening by evening, the fires are more needed. If ever there is a time to be more careful, more conscience and more alert about farm safety, it is now.
Eleven people have been killed in farm-related accidents since the new year, closing in on last year’s total of 16. Both ESB Networks and the HSA have been proactive in highlighting the issue.
Advice for Shortening Days
As autumn approaches, it is vital that children stay safe and are visible in the farmyard. With darker evenings and cattle housed, there is plenty of machinery activity each night. While it is advised to ensure the yard and shed areas are well lit up, it is also advised to wear high-visibility jackets to ensure you have a greater chance of being seen. In addition, this may help in darker areas of the yard (though all areas should be well lit and darker areas avoided if machinery is operating around them).
High-visibility jackets should be worn by children who may be on the farm (accompanied by an adult, of course). It must also be said that vigilance should be taken at all times by people operating machinery in the yard at night and the operator must be fully aware of who is in the farmyard.
High-Visibility Jacket Distribution
ESB networks have recently distributed 80,000 high-vis jackets. The initiative was undertaken in collaboration with the Road Safety Authority to ensure people are seen on the roads, but equally can be used on farmyards.
In recent weeks, child fatalities on farms and roads have been highlighted in the media. In early August, an eight-year-old girl was fatally injured on a farm in Mayo. Just last week, an 11-year-old boy was killed when the bike he was cycling collided with a car. Safety in both areas is vital and the work done by the likes of ESB Networks and the RSA ensures that awareness is raised on the issue of safety.
The 80,000 high-vis jackets “focus attention” according to Gerry Mooney, manager, safety and organisational transformation at ESB Networks, who believes that safety is an absolute priority.
“We are proud to team up with the RSA again this year to promote road safety awareness among our youngest road users, their schools and indeed their families. The nationwide campaign will include the distribution of 80,000 high-visibility vests to all children starting school in September and focus attention on the importance of road safety. Our partnership with the RSA also reflects ESB Networks’ ongoing commitment to promoting safety at all times.
“This initiative is part of our wider Stay Safe, Stay Clear electrical safety campaign which we are promoting throughout schools in the Republic of Ireland,” Gerry says.
ESB Networks also have a stand at the Ploughing, which will have a designated children’s section aimed at educating kids on the dangers of electricity, as Arthur Byrne, ESB Networks Safety manager explains: “At this year’s National Ploughing Championship, we will have an area aimed at educating children about farm safety around electricity. There will be a range of games and competitions to ensure that the kids learn and enjoy the experience as much as possible.”
HSA Advice for Shortening Days
With the autumn well under way and the evenings getting shorter, Pat Griffin of the Health and Safety Authority has some tips for farmers.
According to Pat: “With shorter working days, there’s always the temptation to try to do too much or get that one last job finished before it gets dark. I’d urge farmers to take their time, carry out their work in a safe way, don’t cut corners and if under pressure, remember, tomorrow is another day.”
The HSA will also have a stand at this year’s Ploughing Championships, which will contain further advice and guidance on the topic.
HSA Farm Safety Advice
• Plan your day ahead, do the difficult jobs first when you are freshest and get help if necessary; some jobs just can’t be done on your own.• Keep all machinery and tractors well maintained and in good working order, particularly the braking systems.• Avoid any work at height on roofs or on ladders, especially in wet or windy weather, and consider getting in a competent contractor.• Keep children safe and away from danger, make sure they are supervised at all times when on the farmyard.• If you’re working at dusk or in poor light, wear a high-vis vest and keep a charged mobile with you at all times. CL
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