Focus on safety
Even though it is now April, with the seemingly never-ending inclement weather conditions, one could be forgiven for wondering if spring will ever arrive.
Despite the harsh temperatures and heavy rainfall endured of late, we can be sure that the increased spring workload will still arrive on Irish farms and with it an increase in the challenges to personal safety. The difficult weather and issues such as fodder shortages, pressure on slurry storage and delayed sowing all combine to add to the pressure on farmers’ time in a period which in itself presents a further risk to safety.
FTMTA reiterates the calls made over the years for those involved in working with agricultural machinery to be conscious of, and proactive in relation to, the safety of themselves and others. It has long been reported by the Health and Safety Authority that the fatality rate in agriculture is far higher than in any other sector of the economy and is proportionately totally out of line with the percentage of the overall workforce engaged in agricultural activities.
The association calls on those active in agriculture and using agricultural machinery to be mindful of their safety and that of other people. Some small and practical steps can easily be taken to make the everyday use of farm machinery safer. Among other points:
Clearly understand what all controls do and how to use them before you operate a tractor or any machine.Make sure the handbrake is working before you start any self-propelled machine.Check that nobody around the machine is in danger before moving off and be aware of others at all times and in particular of children and older people.Ensure brakes and steering operate correctly.Machinery should only be used for the purpose for which it was designed and in the fashion for which it was built.FTMTA Farm Machinery Show 2019 Dates
The March meeting of the FTMTA executive council agreed the dates for what will be the flagship farm machinery event of 2019. The FTMTA Farm Machinery Show 2019 will be held at Punchestown Event Centre near Naas over three days from Thursday 7 February to Saturday 9 February.
The FTMTA Farm Machinery Show 2017 proved to be the most successful one so far, with a total of nearly 21,000 visitors to the show over three days as well as the highest number of exhibitors and largest area of exhibition space to date. It is hoped that it will be possible to expand the exhibition area further and to deliver an even larger event in 2019.
The exhibitor application packs for the show will be issued during August and will be sent to all exhibitors at last year’s FTMTA Farm Machinery Show and at this year’s FTMTA Grass & Muck. Any other firms interested in exhibiting at next year’s show should register their interest in advance by calling 045-409 309 or emailing admin@ftmta.ie.
FTMTA Grass & Muck
Exhibition space of all types at the upcoming FTMTA Grass & Muck event to be held at Gurteen College on Thursday 17 May is now fully sold out. A waiting list is being maintained in case of cancellations but realistically, at this stage, it is unlikely that any stand space will become available.
Online tickets sales are available from a link via www.ftmta.ie. The FTMTA encourages all visitors to avail of the savings offered, with the online tickets available at €15 each until the Friday prior to the event, 11 May, which is a saving of €5 on the price after that date and on the day.
Focus on safety
Even though it is now April, with the seemingly never-ending inclement weather conditions, one could be forgiven for wondering if spring will ever arrive.
Despite the harsh temperatures and heavy rainfall endured of late, we can be sure that the increased spring workload will still arrive on Irish farms and with it an increase in the challenges to personal safety. The difficult weather and issues such as fodder shortages, pressure on slurry storage and delayed sowing all combine to add to the pressure on farmers’ time in a period which in itself presents a further risk to safety.
FTMTA reiterates the calls made over the years for those involved in working with agricultural machinery to be conscious of, and proactive in relation to, the safety of themselves and others. It has long been reported by the Health and Safety Authority that the fatality rate in agriculture is far higher than in any other sector of the economy and is proportionately totally out of line with the percentage of the overall workforce engaged in agricultural activities.
The association calls on those active in agriculture and using agricultural machinery to be mindful of their safety and that of other people. Some small and practical steps can easily be taken to make the everyday use of farm machinery safer. Among other points:
Clearly understand what all controls do and how to use them before you operate a tractor or any machine.Make sure the handbrake is working before you start any self-propelled machine.Check that nobody around the machine is in danger before moving off and be aware of others at all times and in particular of children and older people.Ensure brakes and steering operate correctly.Machinery should only be used for the purpose for which it was designed and in the fashion for which it was built.FTMTA Farm Machinery Show 2019 Dates
The March meeting of the FTMTA executive council agreed the dates for what will be the flagship farm machinery event of 2019. The FTMTA Farm Machinery Show 2019 will be held at Punchestown Event Centre near Naas over three days from Thursday 7 February to Saturday 9 February.
The FTMTA Farm Machinery Show 2017 proved to be the most successful one so far, with a total of nearly 21,000 visitors to the show over three days as well as the highest number of exhibitors and largest area of exhibition space to date. It is hoped that it will be possible to expand the exhibition area further and to deliver an even larger event in 2019.
The exhibitor application packs for the show will be issued during August and will be sent to all exhibitors at last year’s FTMTA Farm Machinery Show and at this year’s FTMTA Grass & Muck. Any other firms interested in exhibiting at next year’s show should register their interest in advance by calling 045-409 309 or emailing admin@ftmta.ie.
FTMTA Grass & Muck
Exhibition space of all types at the upcoming FTMTA Grass & Muck event to be held at Gurteen College on Thursday 17 May is now fully sold out. A waiting list is being maintained in case of cancellations but realistically, at this stage, it is unlikely that any stand space will become available.
Online tickets sales are available from a link via www.ftmta.ie. The FTMTA encourages all visitors to avail of the savings offered, with the online tickets available at €15 each until the Friday prior to the event, 11 May, which is a saving of €5 on the price after that date and on the day.
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