In 2018, Teagasc released a detailed report which highlighted an alarming increase in the number of farm accidents over the previous decade.

According to Teagasc research, the number of farm accidents every year in Ireland has risen by almost a third (+31%) in the 10 years from 2008 to stand at 2,814 in 2017.

This survey of 85,000 farms in Ireland by Teagasc found that 11% of farms had an accident in the last five years, with the majority of these accidents involving livestock (42%) or machinery (25%). Trips and falls accounted for a further 13% of accidents in the period, while chainsaws caused 7% of farm accidents.

Unfortunately some of those accidents are particularly harrowing for the affected farmers and their families

According to John Cahalan, chief commercial officer with FBD Insurance, the number of farm accidents in the first half of 2019 has stabilised compared to the same period last year.

“While unacceptably high and farms remains the most hazardous workplace in Ireland today, the number of farm accidents has levelled this year compared to 2018,” says Cahalan.

“Unfortunately some of those accidents are particularly harrowing for the affected farmers and their families”, he added.

According to the Teagasc farm accident survey, almost one-third (30%) of farm accidents resulted in a the injured party being out of work for more than a month, with 21% out of work for more than two months.

Thirteen per cent of farm accidents resulted in an absence from work of between 11 and 30 days, while 40% led to an absence from work of between one and 10 days. Just 17% of accidents resulted in no loss of work time.

I urge all farmers to pay close attention to the level of farm insurance cover they are paying for

Given the high risk of accidents on farms as well as the potential loss of income from being out of work, Cahalan is keen to stress the importance of farmers understanding the level of insurance cover they have on their farms.

“I urge all farmers to pay close attention to the level of farm insurance cover they are paying for as all farm insurance policies are not the same,” says Cahalan.

“For example, building costs have increased over the last five years. If damaged in a storm, the cost of replacing that shed is a good deal more expensive today than it was five years ago,” he says.

Farmers need to be sure they have adequate public liability insurance and employer’s liability insurance for those working or visiting their farms

For accident cover, farmers should check what pension provisions are in their insurance policy or what life cover they have. Farmers should also check what disability cover they have in place in the event of a bad accident.

Very importantly, farmers need to be sure they have adequate public liability insurance and employer’s liability insurance for those working or visiting their farms, says Cahalan.

Ultimately, farmers need to assess the risk in their farm businesses and ensure they work with their insurance provider to put the right level of cover in place to protect their business in the event of accidents and big weather events.