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Health, Welfare and Safety Project Assignment 2024:

Group 55
Sijia Sun 22305516
Kathleen Low 22341243
Siún Ní Dhúgáin 22325111

RDEV2014
Table of Contents

Title Page 1
Table of Contents 2
Introduction 3
Farm Safety Code of Practice Risk Assessment 5
Farmer’s Concerns with Respect to Health and Safety 6
Information on any accidents that have occurred on the farm 6
Hazards identified with examples of good and bad practices 7
Conclusion 10
References 11
Appendix 1: 12
Appendix 2: 26

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Introduction

Farming is one of the most dangerous occupations in Ireland. Fatality rate is far higher than
in any other economic sector. Over ⅓ of all workplace fatalities occur in farming. The farm
accident rate is not decreasing except 2021
Health and safety is extremely important in the workplace. It is the legal duty of the farmer to
ensure a safe place to work, with safe plant, equipment and machinery and safe work
procedures ( Ireland, Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005). An “accident at work”
is defined by ESAW as a discrete occurrence in the course of work which leads to physical or
mental harm (ESAW, 2013) There were 4,523 accidents reported on Irish farms in 2020
(Teagasc, 2022). 46% required hospitalisation and 47% required more than 3 day work
absence. Non-fatal accidents reported in the framework of ESAW are accidents that imply at
least 4 full calendar days absence from work (ESAW, 2013) while fatal accidents can be
defined as “ those that lead to the death of the victim within 1 year”
The main causes of deaths in Ireland in agriculture and forestry 2011 - 2020 (HSA, 2021)
were related to vehicles or livestock. 43% of fatalities were due to accidents involving
tractors or other vehicles, either due to crush, entrapment or entanglement or to striking a
pedestrian or cyclist while 19% involved livestock including crushing. Less common causes
of fatal accidents were drowning / gas suffocation 10%, falls from height 8%, being struck by
falling objects 6% or electrocution 2%. In the Teagasc (2022) survey involving fatal and
non-fatal accidents, the main causes were reported as involving livestock (52%) and vehicles
and machinery (13%). Tractors and other farm vehicles are generally heavier and more
powerful than other vehicles and can inflict significantly more serious or fatal injuries. There
is often not sufficient appreciation of this, particularly in terms of the use of younger family
members driving farm vehicles without adequate experience or indeed the ability to control
the vehicle. While most farmers are aware of the issues of blind spots and speed, many are
not aware of the extent of their blind spots or the braking / stopping distance required for
their vehicle (Surendren, 2023)
We were fortunate to be provided with access to a mixed enterprise working farm in County
Limerick which all 3 group members visited on 20th March 2024 (photo included in
Appendix). The farm comprises 66 acres and has a mix of enterprises - beef, equine and
tillage. It is stocked with 61 animals, comprising 51 livestock and 10 bloodstock. The
machinery used include a.tractor with PTO drive shaft, a loader / telehandler, a quad
vehicle,a trailer and an excavator. The farm buildings (photos included in Appendix) consist

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of a stables, a cattle shed and a barn for storage of vehicles and machinery. There is also an
area for washing machinery. There is also a cattle crush to facilitate safe handling of animals..
The farm is staffed by the farmer, his son and one experienced part-time employee who just
looks after the horses. There are no children in the farm household or farm workers over the
age of 65. This is relevant as over half of all farm fatalities involve children or over 65 year
olds.(Russell, 2015)

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Farm Safety Code of Practice Risk Assessment

Following the ‘Farm Safety Code of Practice Risk Assessment Document’ provided by the
Health and Safety Authority (HSA), a comprehensive risk assessment was conducted on the
selected farm in Limerick (Appendix). This evaluation was used to meticulously identify
various risks and hazards inherent within the farm’s operations.
When we visited the farm, the farmer told us that "to deal with these identified risks, we have
carefully compiled a detailed list of farm safety actions." The list of actions outlines specific,
practical measures and interventions aimed at effectively mitigating identified hazards. The
strategy includes the implementation of comprehensive safety protocols for the operation and
maintenance of farm machinery, strict procedures for the safe storage, handling and use of
chemicals, and the establishment of strong livestock management practices to prevent
accidents and injuries. The action list further recommends regular training for all farm
personnel to ensure that they are proficient in the latest security protocols and emergency
response procedures.
For instance, an example of these efforts, the farm has installed a triple-lock security system
on the storage facility for agricultural chemicals, significantly enhancing the safety measures
against unauthorised access and potential misuse.
The completion of the farm safety action list reflects a proactive and firm safety management
approach to ensure that all businesses on the farm comply with the highest possible safety
standards. This can not only greatly reduce the risk of accidents and injuries, but also
cultivate a culture of safety and vigilance among farm workers, ultimately ensuring the safety
and safety of everyone on the farm.

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Farmer’s Concerns with Respect to Health and Safety

Health and safety on the farm is a constant concern according to the farmer and it is
monitored regularly to maintain at a high standard. He has taken a number of specific actions
to address health and safety. Vehicles and machines are checked annually to ensure they are
fully safe to be operated. The farmer has covers on PTO shafts on his tractors and machinery
to ensure his own as well as others’ safety on the farm. In terms of livestock health and
welfare; the shed’s are well ventilated and the farmer has slatted flooring made out of
polypropylene plastic installed which insulates and keeps the livestock warm over the winter.
He has instituted a very safe system for the storage, handling and use of articles and
substances. Chemicals are kept locked away inside a cabinet that is then locked inside a cargo
container. Appropriate clothing and personal protection equipment are worn. The farmyard is
kept tidy and any spillages cleaned quickly to reduce the risk of trips and slips. There are
adequate toilet and washing facilities. The farmer is aware of his limitations and uses
experienced outside farm contractors with specialised equipment for any jobs which are
beyond his capability such as electrical work or any work at heights.

Information on any accidents that have occurred on the farm

Fortunately there haven't been any major accidents on the farm (defined as requiring at least
4 full calendar days of absence from work (HSA, 2021)) for the past 20 years according to
the farmer.

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Hazards identified with examples of good and bad practices

Figure 1

Good practice
There were many examples of good practice on this farm. As stated in the introduction,
Teagasc (2022) reported that 10% of farm accident related fatalities were due to drowning or
suffocation and this is a risk if slurry tanks are not properly protected. Figure 1 shows that the
farmer has both a slurry tank cover and a slurry agitation platform.

Figure 2

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He also has a secure system for storage of medication such as antibiotics and toxic chemicals
such as poisons for rats. Figure 2 shows medication and poisons in a lockable filing cabinet
which is secured within a locked cargo container.

Figure 3 Figure 4

Figure 3 shows safe stacking of round bales stacked on the round end, no more than 2 bales
high, with an overlap on the second tier.HSA (2021) reported 6% of farm fatalities being due
to being struck by falling objects and unsafe stacking of heavy round bales would be a risk
for this.

Bad Practice
Farm safety is taken very seriously on this farm and it was more difficult to find examples of
bad practice.Figure 4 shows stacked pallets that are accessible to visitors - children might be
tempted to climb on them risking falls and injury. Warning signs and a safety rail would help
to reduce the risk of this. On a positive note the pallets were well stacked putting “like with
like” in terms of size and shape, they were stacked horizontally (not on their ends) and there
was no overhang. They were also not too high - height less than length of base and tapered in
on higher tiers to reduce risk of pallets toppling.
Another practice noted is the absence of signage such as “Danger Chemical Store”, “Caution
Farm Machinery in Operation” or “Warning Livestock Crossing”.or “Beware Farm animals

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can be dangerous - visitors are advised not to interfere with animals” Figure 2 shows that
while the chemicals are safely stored, there are no hazard signs.

Although the farm is very tidy we did notice metal springs

Figure 5

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Conclusion
The farmer is very conscious of health and safety and has good knowledge of best practice in
this area. Livestock welfare is well managed in terms of adequate room and well ventilated
sheds. Buildings, machinery and equipment are kept well maintained, however,
improvements can be made on the lack of signs around the farm. As the current part-time
employee only works with the horses, another suggestion is that the farmer should hire
another person on the farm to help with animal handling and heavy manual work as the
farmer is on the older side which would mean he is not as strong as previously. While older
farmers have more job experience, and are less likely to take risks (Russell, 2015) they are
reported to have a higher rate of involvement in fatal accidents.
Any new employee would need proper training and close supervision until he / she has at
least 6 months experience. Farm workers in the first month of their job tenure have an injury
rate more than 6 times greater than that of workers with 5 or more years of job experience

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References

Eurostat 2013 European statistics on Accidents at Work (ESAW) Luxembourg: Office for
Official Publications of the European Communities.

Government of Ireland. Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act (2005). Dublin: Stationery
Office.

HSA (2021) A Review of Work Related Fatalities in Agriculture in Ireland 2011 - 2020
Dublin. Available at
https://www.hsa.ie/eng/publications_and_forms/publications/agriculture_and_forestry/a_revi
ew_of_work-related_fatalities_in_agriculture_in_ireland_2011-2020.pdf. Accessed 28 March
2024.

Russell,H., Maître,B., Watson D. (2015) Trends and Patterns in Occupational Health and
Safety in Ireland May 2015 Dublin Available at
https://www.esri.ie/system/files/publications/RS40.pdf. Accessed 28 March 2024

Surendran, Aswathi Ms & Mc Sharry, Jenny & Di Domenico, Rossella & Meredith, David &
O'Hora, Denis, 2023. "Enhancing machine-related safety on farms: A systematic review,"
OSF Preprints rp9cj, Center for Open Science. Accessed 28 March 2024.

Teagasc (2023) National Farm Survey 2022. Dublin. Available at

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Appendix 1:
Farm Safety Code of Practice www.hsa.ie -
RISK ASSESSMENT DOCUMENT

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Appendix 2

Completed consent form signed by farmer

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Joint project form

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Plagiarism forms:

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