This is a subscriber-only article
If you read nothing else in the Irish Farmers Journal this week, the harrowing real-life stories of how a farm death and accident can impact on farm families will send a shiver down the most hardened of farm soldiers. The objective of recounting these stories is not to further expose the families involved to more grief and pain, but, to allow other farmers learn from their experiences. For that we are grateful.
Experienced operators can get into difficulty and in dangerous situations the outcome and consequences can be very difficult for everyone.
Young Wexford farmer John Kennedy was starting out in a new business alongside running the family farm. John will always be remembered for the great worker and farming ambassador he was.
John was going about his daily business when he was involved in a fatal accident on the home farm.
Accidents do happen, but, on all farms we need to try harder to reduce the number of deaths and accidents. We can’t simply stand back and watch the number of farm deaths increase. Does this involve mandatory training? More licences? Specialised equipment training and licences? Ongoing annual training? Surely if we can save one life it’s worth it?
Cavan farmer Elizabeth Ormiston was also going about normal business loading a heifer into a trailer, doing something she was well capable of doing. The next week she was in an induced coma. Her message is to stay alert and well-prepared at all times handling livestock.
Farming is dangerous. Plenty take chances. Plenty don’t take any precautions. Suffering is inevitable. The HSA is this week initiating a blitz on farm safety inspections – should there be more inspections?
We have a new Minister with responsibility for Farm Safety. Minister Martin Heydon could well be the minister to preside over a record year of farm deaths and accidents. We need more new initiatives like from these Tipperary students to keep farm safety front and centre.
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