I began a five-year FBD lectureship in farm health and safety at UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science in September 2015. This position, funded by FBD Trust, was approved to develop education, research and knowledge transfer programmes in order to equip graduates with an understanding of all aspects of risk evaluation impacting health and safety as applied to the agriculture and food industries.

“The agricultural sector is one of the most hazardous sectors globally and continues to have a poor occupational safety and health record.

“To help address this issue, an innovative health, welfare and safety module forms a critical component of all undergraduate programmes within the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science.

“The FBD Trust Health and Safety Awards have also been developed as part of this module to help improve awareness of the importance of farm safety at UCD and to recognise outstanding scholarship in farm health and safety.

“The module objectives of developing greater awareness and knowledge of health and safety issues related to agriculture, the food industry and associated areas also lends itself well to FBD’s commitment to promoting health and safety in agriculture.

“The awards recognise three students, selected annually, to champion health and safety within the school of agriculture and food science and to highlight best practice and excellence in health and safety in the areas of agriculture, food science and human nutrition.

“Students who receive this award agree to champion health and safety for the following year until the next awards are granted.

“The first FBD Health and Safety Awards, funded by the FBD Trust, were awarded last November to Olivia Porter, Michael Delaney and Ian Atkinson.

“All three students are currently undertaking professional work experience as part of their stage three UCD programme, where they are transferring their health, welfare and safety training into work practice.”

Myles Reilly, FBD, and recipient Oliva Porter, UCD.

Olivia Porter

Olivia is a third-year human nutrition student at UCD

“Growing up on a dairy, beef and sheep farm in Wexford, health and safety was something I had to consider from a young age. My interest in health and safety was undoubtedly magnified upon completing the health, welfare and safety in agriculture module as part of my human nutrition degree in UCD. I was delighted to be selected as an FBD Trust health and safety awardee and I look forward to the coming year as I champion health and safety across all areas of agriculture, food and nutrition and strive to increase both awareness and respect around health and safety.”

Myles Reilly, FBD, and recipient Michael Delaney, UCD.

Michael Delaney

Michael is a third-year animal and crop science student at UCD

“I am originally from a mixed dairy and beef farm in Tipperary, spending much of my childhood with my father working on the farm. It was because of this that I gained a natural interest in farm safety and am honoured to be selected for this award. I am currently completing on-farm work experience as part of my degree programme. The issue of farm safety is close to all our hearts, as many people have been affected by or know of a farm accident. Being awarded FBD health and safety champion gives me a great opportunity to improve farm safety in my class and wider circle. I look forward to motivating others and increasing awareness around this very important topic.”

Ian Atkinson

Ian is a third-year animal and crop science student at UCD

“I feel that health and safety has always been an issue on Irish farms, but in recent years it has deservedly been given more and more consideration by farmers and other people involved within the agricultural industry. It is important that farming is sustainable in every way possible and that includes safe working and health conditions. As a champion for health and safety, my aim is to make all people more aware of how dangerous farms can be. I am currently on a farm work placement in New Zealand and it is interesting to see health and safety from another country’s perspective.”

Read more about Safe Family Farms here.