The recent Farm Safety Scheme introduced by the Department of Agriculture appears to be working, as new figures released by the Health and Safety Authority confirm that fatalities in the Agricultural sector are down by 40%, with eighteen deaths reported in 2015 compared to thirty in 2014.
The Farm Safety Scheme, where farmers are able to obtain grants of up to €8000 to help them upgrade safety arrangements on their farms, was introduced by the Department in 2014. The total available funds in the scheme are €12.2 million and farmers who spend over €2000 will be able to apply for a grant.
Liam Moloney a Naas Solicitor commented today on the HSA report “while it is welcome news that safety standards on farms are improving the Agricultural sector continues to remain the most dangerous occupation in Ireland. The Health and Safety Authority must continue to direct resources to the sector, both through enforcement of higher safety standards and training to reduce the number of avoidable accidents on Irish farms”.
