Farm Safety Week concluded with an event in Kildalton College, Co Kilkenny, led by the IFA and Teagasc.
Beginning the day, Paul Hennessey of Teagasc spoke about the unacceptable farm fatality figures. On the day, farmers shared their experiences with near misses. Paul said: “We have to stop tolerating near misses. Five minutes could save your life.”
IFA Kilkenny chair James Murphy spoke about the importance of livestock handling and how his own father Tom was killed by a bull.
“My father was 72 when the accident happened, a dangerous age on a farm. He was a very active man who was big into his greyhounds. We ran a sheep, suckler and tillage operation.
From what we can tell, the bull got his chain caught in a headstock and my father went in to release him
"We had a Charolais bull who had given us reason to believe he was trouble, but we didn’t heed the warnings. He was a good bull, so we put a chain on him and said we would be careful handling him and keep him on for another year. From what we can tell, the bull got his chain caught in a headstock and my father went in to release him. The bull attacked and killed my father.
"With the benefit of hindsight, he didn’t fully assess the risk, he was rushing to get out to the dog track. The scary thing about these accidents is that all it takes is one thing to go wrong.”
Having correct facilities when it comes to livestock can greatly reduce the risk of an accident happening. Most equipment is available under TAMS II.
“One of the main problems we’re encountering on health and safety issues is the age of farmers. Many are still the boss of the farm at 70-plus years of age. It is very difficult for some to accept the help they need. The reality is, at that age, your reactions aren’t as quick or sharp. For us at home, we must assess the risk [in] every situation.
"Risk assessment must become a subconscious effort where you just do it. Whether it’s changing a tyre to dosing calves, we all need to realise there is some level of risk”.
"We have a Minister and a Department who are ready to take away the carrot and bring in the stick. I’m not sure that will solve our problem."
Live demonstration
Farmers saw a live demonstration of the facilities in Kildalton. The world-famous Temple Grandin principles of livestock handling were explained to the farmers as best practice for both animals and farmer.
“Cattle like to move in a circular motion. It gives them peace of mind that they are going back to the same place from where they came,” explained livestock tutor in Kildalton John O’Connor.
We have a Minister and a Department who are ready to take away the carrot and bring in the stick. I’m not sure that will solve our problem
“Keeping a gate between yourself and the animals when possible is advised. It’s all about reducing the risk.”
Key facilities mentioned on the day were a head lock and calving gate, a good crush fitted with a head scoop and escape routes where needed.
Beginning the day, Teagasc’s Paul Hennessey spoke about the unacceptable farm fatality figures. Farmers on the day shared their experiences of near-misses.
The event concluded the week's events for Farm Safety Week 2018. During the week, three farm deaths occurred, bringing the number of deaths on Irish farms to 18 this year.
James Murphy of the IFA closed the day by saying: “We have chosen a dangerous career - the figures tell you that. We must assess the risk in every situation if these figures are to come down. We have a Minister and a Department who are ready to take away the carrot and bring in the stick. I’m not sure that will solve our problem.”
“One of the main problems we’re encountering on health and safety issues is the age of farmers. Many are still the boss of the farm at 70-plus years of age.”
Farm Safety Week concluded with an event in Kildalton College, Co Kilkenny, led by the IFA and Teagasc.
Beginning the day, Paul Hennessey of Teagasc spoke about the unacceptable farm fatality figures. On the day, farmers shared their experiences with near misses. Paul said: “We have to stop tolerating near misses. Five minutes could save your life.”
IFA Kilkenny chair James Murphy spoke about the importance of livestock handling and how his own father Tom was killed by a bull.
“My father was 72 when the accident happened, a dangerous age on a farm. He was a very active man who was big into his greyhounds. We ran a sheep, suckler and tillage operation.
From what we can tell, the bull got his chain caught in a headstock and my father went in to release him
"We had a Charolais bull who had given us reason to believe he was trouble, but we didn’t heed the warnings. He was a good bull, so we put a chain on him and said we would be careful handling him and keep him on for another year. From what we can tell, the bull got his chain caught in a headstock and my father went in to release him. The bull attacked and killed my father.
"With the benefit of hindsight, he didn’t fully assess the risk, he was rushing to get out to the dog track. The scary thing about these accidents is that all it takes is one thing to go wrong.”
Having correct facilities when it comes to livestock can greatly reduce the risk of an accident happening. Most equipment is available under TAMS II.
“One of the main problems we’re encountering on health and safety issues is the age of farmers. Many are still the boss of the farm at 70-plus years of age. It is very difficult for some to accept the help they need. The reality is, at that age, your reactions aren’t as quick or sharp. For us at home, we must assess the risk [in] every situation.
"Risk assessment must become a subconscious effort where you just do it. Whether it’s changing a tyre to dosing calves, we all need to realise there is some level of risk”.
"We have a Minister and a Department who are ready to take away the carrot and bring in the stick. I’m not sure that will solve our problem."
Live demonstration
Farmers saw a live demonstration of the facilities in Kildalton. The world-famous Temple Grandin principles of livestock handling were explained to the farmers as best practice for both animals and farmer.
“Cattle like to move in a circular motion. It gives them peace of mind that they are going back to the same place from where they came,” explained livestock tutor in Kildalton John O’Connor.
We have a Minister and a Department who are ready to take away the carrot and bring in the stick. I’m not sure that will solve our problem
“Keeping a gate between yourself and the animals when possible is advised. It’s all about reducing the risk.”
Key facilities mentioned on the day were a head lock and calving gate, a good crush fitted with a head scoop and escape routes where needed.
Beginning the day, Teagasc’s Paul Hennessey spoke about the unacceptable farm fatality figures. Farmers on the day shared their experiences of near-misses.
The event concluded the week's events for Farm Safety Week 2018. During the week, three farm deaths occurred, bringing the number of deaths on Irish farms to 18 this year.
James Murphy of the IFA closed the day by saying: “We have chosen a dangerous career - the figures tell you that. We must assess the risk in every situation if these figures are to come down. We have a Minister and a Department who are ready to take away the carrot and bring in the stick. I’m not sure that will solve our problem.”
“One of the main problems we’re encountering on health and safety issues is the age of farmers. Many are still the boss of the farm at 70-plus years of age.”
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