The issue of farm safety has been at the forefront in recent months with the number of farm accidents on the increase. Three transition year classes from different schools set up mini companies where they each came up with a farm safety measure that could reduce accidents on the farm. Here is what these innovative students came up with.

FAST

Conor Bolger, Shane Farrell, Steven Moran and Shane Meehan set up a transition year mini company called FAST. It stands for Farm Accident Safety Transmitter. The Mercy Secondary School students from Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath, had an idea of a system of motion detecting sensors surrounding dangerous areas on a farm, such as slurry pits and potentially dangerous machinery. These sensors would be activated by a wristband worn by children on the farm when they are within a five to 10 metre radius of a hazard. The wristband would trigger an alarm, alerting the farmer or an adult nearby. The farmer would also receive an SMS message to his phone, alerting him that the alarm had gone off.

“Because wristbands are very popular among younger children, we’re confident they will want to wear them,” says Conor. The students carried out a survey of local farmers in the area. They received a very positive response and their results showed that farmers were eager to use the motion detecting sensors on their farms.

Farm SIS

James Roulston, along with six of his fellow pupils from The Royal and Prior Comprehensive School, Raphoe, Co Donegal, set up a mini company called Farm Safety Is Success (SIS). Their idea stemmed from a neighbour and family friend who was seriously injured last year in a farming accident. Their idea was based on farm safety for children. They decided to produce a product that would educate children on farm safety from an early age. Three jigsaw puzzles were designed for three- to five-year-olds in pre-schools that showed scenes where most deaths have occurred on the farm. The 24-piece jigsaw also carries a message that explains the dangers of these scenarios. The group are hoping to share it within the farming community to help prevent further accidents and fatalities

C&M Tracking Solutions

C&M Tracking Solutions was set up by Brian Cullinan and Aaron Murphy as part of their transition year mini company. The Cistercian College students from Roscrea, Co Tipperary, had an idea to create a GPS tracking device with extra functions for farmers. Their GPS device has a GEO fencing function with a virtual perimeter. If the perimeter is breached, an alert is sent to the farmer via text message. The GPA device can also be used to track stolen machinery. If the small device is left somewhere in a farmer’s piece of machinery, such as a tractor, the farmer can use the app on his phone to see where the stolen machinery is. The pair are pricing their product at €60 per device. Brian says: “It’s an investment but will stand to farmers in the long term.”