19 Feb 667 Beds for Farm Accidents
Farm Accidents accounted for 677 beds days in Mayo General Hospital
A farm safety seminar organised by the National Irish Safety Organisation (NISO) in Claremorris, Co Mayo, on 19 February 2015 was attended by over 100 farmers. A distinguished panel of six speakers* who imparted their knowledge about accident causes, livestock, children, chemicals, traumas, hospital admissions, lone working, stress, insurance, risk assessments, statutory inspections and the shocking reality.
Prof Kevin Barry, Consultant Surgeon with Mayo General Hospital informed delegates that farm related accidents in the seven year period from 2005 to 2011 accounted for 677 beds days in Mayo General Hospital alone.
Farmers also expressed concern over requirements for reducing the impact of pesticides in the environment (STRIPE).
NISO President, Pauric Corrigan, expressed hope that all farmers would take more care in 2015 after a disastrous year where 30 lives were lost in farming incidents in 2014.
* Speakers included:
- Health and Safety Authority (Pat Griffin, Senior Inspector, Health and Safety Authority
- Mayo General Hospital (Prof Kevin Barry, Consultant Surgeon, Mayo General Hospital)
- Teagasc (John McNamara, National Health and Safety Officer, Teagasc)
- FBD (Ciarán Roche, Risk Manager, FBD)
- a chemical expert [Prof Michael Hynes]
- a farmer who has experienced a farm accident (Peter Gohery, Farmer)