07 Jan Concern over farm fatalities
NISO has expressed deep concern at the 30 farm workplace fatalities recorded in 2014 which represents an 87 per cent rise in agriculture sector fatalities since 2013.
Pauric Corrigan, NISO President, stated that “while all farm fatalities are unacceptable, the level of farm fatalities during 2014 is disturbing and represents over 54 per cent of all workplace fatalities during 2014 despite an increasing focus on farm safety in recent years”.
He added that the recent controversy surrounding European Agriculture Commissioner, Phil Hogan’s, statement that farmers could lose EU grants unless they live up to certain safety standards “is not new and was highlighted by the Health and Safety Authority earlier this year”.
Corrigan continued that “the Commissioner’s idea should not be ridiculed and merited further consideration in conjunction with other methods including a number of options in the Farm Safety Action Plan 2013 – 2015 such as mandatory health and safety training in specific areas such as the use of chainsaws and the introduction of Farm Safety on the agenda of future Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) reform negotiations”.
NISO supports efforts to promote farm safety that are being made at both national and European level. As part of NISO’s contribution at national level, NISO will be hosting a Farm Safety Seminar in Mallow on 15 January 2015, details of which are accessible on NISO’s website (niso.ie). Another seminar in Co Mayo will follow in early February.
At European level, initiatives are required to formulate a cohesive EU policy in order to address the ‘carnage’ that continues to take place on Irish and European farms.
NISO fully supports the work of various bodies in their attempt to prevent accidents and again calls on farmers to take responsibility and exercise good safety prevention measures.