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Over 4,500 farm accidents occur annually, according to data from the Teagasc National Farm Survey. These figures show the importance of creating awareness and education around farm safety
Farms continue to be one of the most dangerous workplaces. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) reported 12 fatal farm workplace accidents which accounts for over half of all workplace fatalities in 2022.
A farm safety day at Carnew Mart, in 2022 highlighted a keen interest in providing more education around farm safety with local primary schools.
Educating children on farm safety
Third to sixth-class students from the Wexford and Wicklow region visited Carnew Mart in November 2022 to attend an interactive health and safety demonstration day. Students were shown the importance of farm safety and the precautions which need to be taken in order to avoid accidents and fatalities.
Hazard signs and symbols, along with the dangers of livestock, machinery and other elements of farming were outlined through AgriKids founder, Alma Jordan, on the day.
Students in attendance were asked to take part in the art competition which they called ‘Be Safe, Don’t Be Sorry’. The winners returned to Carnew’s show and sale day where they were presented with a gift.
Prize Winners
First place: Sean Gahan, Craanford National School.
Second place: Naomi Salter, Carrigduff National School.
Third place: Toma Janongie, Baltinglass.
Highly commended
Amelia Rajek, Baltinglass.
Ruby Wallace, All Saints’ National School, Carnew.
A demand to do more
Since the farm safety day, the interest from schools has been enormous according to mart operator Eilish Quinn. They have been asked by others who attended when they are holding the next event and if it could be a school tour day.
The team at Carnew Mart organised the event in an effort to give back to their local community while highlighting a key issue affecting farming families in the area. Eilish explains, “[A farm safety event] was definitely a fit for us, every week you are listening to stories about near-misses.” After a customer of theirs had a farm accident which resulted in a fatality, they decided to help spread the farm safety message.
“I felt this was so important,” Eilish said.
‘This is how we change culture’
On the day, Martin Heydon, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, said, “This is how we change culture; we impact every member of the family from the kids to the parents to the grandparents; identifying hazards, illuminating and reducing risks. Farmers wear it as a badge of honour that we have near misses all the time.
Statistics tell us if we reduce the number of near misses, we will reduce the number of fatal injuries and life-changing injuries.”
Martin continued, “No farmer ever thinks it will happen to them, but it can impact everything - the whole family and community - with devastating effects. What we are looking to do is to have farmers identify the risk. Kids have a key role to play in that.
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