Northern Ireland Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster, has announced a scheme that will aim to address the increase in fatalities currently affecting the farming industry.
Supported by the Ulster Farmers’ Union and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) initiative will begin in November and will see at least 1000 targeted farm visits take place by March 2013.
Arlene Foster said, "HSENI teams will be focusing their efforts on reminding farmers to stop and think safe before starting any job on the farm. They will also be advising farmers on how to work safely around the four key dangers of Slurry, Animals, Falls and Equipment (i.e. SAFE)."
Malcolm Downey, who heads up the Farm Safety Team at HSENI, said, "I believe that farm safety visits along with one-to-one advice are vital tools in helping to limit the devastation caused by accidents. With the support of our Farm Safety Partnership colleagues at the Ulster Farmers’ Union, the DARD, NFU Mutual and the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster, I want every farmer in Northern Ireland to talk openly to our teams and take on board our advice and guidance."
Downey continued to say, "It is vital that those working in the farming sector familiarise themselves with the guidance and put it into practice. This increase in farm visits will help to drive those messages home. I would appeal to everyone, including family and friends to help get the safety message to farmers and farm workers to ensure that they are aware of the dangers involved."
The Farm Safety Partnership intends to publish its first action plan in November covering the periods October 2012 – March 2014. The action plan is intended to both reflect the current and ongoing efforts of all partners as well as identifying new areas for action over the coming months.
For more information, see:
