With the focus on safety this week, Andrew Phelan from Mooncoin, Co Kilkenny, hosted an IFA farm safety evening.
Paddy Russell, who is an RSA-approved driving instructor, delivered a talk emphasising the importance of trailer safety, having the correct type of license and understanding and abiding by the weight restrictions of trailers.
Five key tips to ensure trailer safety
Ensure the hitch is in good working order and that it is locking properly on the drawbar of the vehicle for safe travelling purposes. All trailers should be fitted with a breakaway cable. Brakes need to be working effectively so the vehicle can come to a halt quickly in unforeseen circumstances. 
Paddy Russel outlining the need for a breakaway cable so that if the trailer disengages for example on the road for what ever reason the trailer brake will immediately come into effect halting the trailer allowing it to veer left out of harms way.
All tyres on the vehicle and trailer should be of industry standard and a minimum depth of 1.6mm. 
Tyres should be also regularly checked to ensure they are of the correct pressure before setting off.
Lights on both the vehicle and trailer should be functioning correctly. Short-circuits can cause lights to malfunction which could potentially result in an accident. 
All lights should be functioning correctly, any faulty bulbs should be changed or replaced when required.
General upkeep should be carried out on the trailer routinely. The trailer should also be regularly checked over by a qualified individual, such as the agent. 
Trailers should be regularly checked over by a qualified individual to guarantee that it is of a satisfactory standard and are road worthy.
Safety should be farmers' number one priority at all times, as it can potentially save lives.
Machinery, tractors and farm vehicles accounted for 51% of deaths between 2009 and 2018.
The statistic above is particularly worrying.
However, it can be lowered, providing farmers pay more attention to detail and consider their own safety above anything else.
Read more
Gardaí issue warning as straw trailer strikes bridge
Farm accident survivors urge farmers to stop and think
Department of Agriculture imposes animal transport ban
With the focus on safety this week, Andrew Phelan from Mooncoin, Co Kilkenny, hosted an IFA farm safety evening.
Paddy Russell, who is an RSA-approved driving instructor, delivered a talk emphasising the importance of trailer safety, having the correct type of license and understanding and abiding by the weight restrictions of trailers.
Five key tips to ensure trailer safety
Ensure the hitch is in good working order and that it is locking properly on the drawbar of the vehicle for safe travelling purposes. All trailers should be fitted with a breakaway cable. Brakes need to be working effectively so the vehicle can come to a halt quickly in unforeseen circumstances.
Paddy Russel outlining the need for a breakaway cable so that if the trailer disengages for example on the road for what ever reason the trailer brake will immediately come into effect halting the trailer allowing it to veer left out of harms way.
All tyres on the vehicle and trailer should be of industry standard and a minimum depth of 1.6mm.
Tyres should be also regularly checked to ensure they are of the correct pressure before setting off.
Lights on both the vehicle and trailer should be functioning correctly. Short-circuits can cause lights to malfunction which could potentially result in an accident.
All lights should be functioning correctly, any faulty bulbs should be changed or replaced when required.
General upkeep should be carried out on the trailer routinely. The trailer should also be regularly checked over by a qualified individual, such as the agent.
Trailers should be regularly checked over by a qualified individual to guarantee that it is of a satisfactory standard and are road worthy.
Safety should be farmers' number one priority at all times, as it can potentially save lives.
Machinery, tractors and farm vehicles accounted for 51% of deaths between 2009 and 2018.
The statistic above is particularly worrying.
However, it can be lowered, providing farmers pay more attention to detail and consider their own safety above anything else.
Read more
Gardaí issue warning as straw trailer strikes bridge
Farm accident survivors urge farmers to stop and think
Department of Agriculture imposes animal transport ban
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