NEWS

Young and the old at risk on farms
By Robert Irwin

THE young and the old members of the farming family are of greatest concern to the agricultural team from the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland.
At a recent briefing for the Guild of Agricultural Journalists, Malcolm Downey of the HSE highlighted the risks faced each day by both children and older farmers across Northern Ireland.
The message regarding child safety was upbeat with Malcolm able to report a considerable reduction in the number of child fatalities. Indeed during 2005 to 2008 no children died from accidents on local farms, although there have been two fatalities this year.
However in the ten year period up to 2004 a total of 16 children had fatal accidents on farms.
Mr Downey said that the main danger areas are machinery, livestock and the general workplace such as slurry stores.
"Agricultural machines are potentially dangerous in the hands of a child" he said, pointing out that those under 13 years of age may not drive or ride on tractors or their implements.
He also warned that children are not safe simply because they are inside a cab. They can and do fall out of doors and rear windows. "Falling from and being run over by such vehicles is a common cause of fatal accidents" warned Mr Downey.
He warned too of the dangers of livestock, not only bulls, boars and rams but also female animals which may attack when protecting their young.

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November 13th 2009
November 6th 2009