Minister Kitt Appeals for Extra Vigilance on Farms

Mr. Tom Kitt, T.D., Minister for Labour, Trade and Consumer Affairs today (Monday, 13th July 1998) appealed to farmers for extra vigilance on farms.

Minister Kitt said "Sadly, 1998 has not been a good year for farm safety. Seventeen people, including five children, have already lost their lives this year on Irish farms".

"Countless others have been injured, many seriously. To put the seventeen fatalities in context the total number of farm fatalities for 1996 and 1997 were 12 and 15 respectively. Each of the fatalities is a personal tragedy for the families, friends and neighbours of the loved one who has so tragically lost their lives. Many of the accidents could have been prevented through the introduction and maintenance of good safety management. Safety requires continuous unrelenting effort to ensure that all farm operations are undertaken in a safe and healthy manner," the Minister said.

Minister Kitt continued "The alarming rise in the number of fatalities this year is a source of considerable concern to me and the Health and Safety Authority.

"I would call on the farming community to re-double its efforts to ensure that further tragedies can be avoided. During this most busy time of the year for farmers I would ask them to take an hour or two and identify the dangerous work activities which occur on the farm. "Farmers should control and avoid these high risk activities wherever possible and this may involve

- guarding unfenced power take off shaft - fitting earth leakage protection on farm yard - removing stock while slurry tank is being emptied - extra caution with high risk work especially transportation machinery.

"I commend the farm organisations for their continued efforts in promoting farm safety. Their hard work will undoubtedly prevent further fatalities and serious accidents taking place. Safety has to be managed in much the same way as every other aspect of managing the farm.

"Safety in farming must remain a top priority. The time for action is now," concluded the Minister.