Carlow farmers encouraged to apply for support to improve safety
Farm Safety Week, now in its 14th year, is led by the Irish Farmers' Association and supported by government Photo: David Creedon
FARMERS are being urged to review safety hazards on their farms following the annual Farm Safety Week, which took place last week.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon and Minister of State for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture Niall Collins issued the call, with this year’s safety campaign focusing on people, given the life-changing impact serious farm incidents can have on families.
Speaking in support of the initiative, Minister Heydon said farming continues to carry a poor safety record, accounting for almost 40% of all workplace fatalities over the past decade. He urged farmers to review their farm safety code of practice and carry out any necessary maintenance and repairs without delay.
On financial supports, minister Collins said time remains the greatest investment a farmer can make in safety.
However, he noted that several government schemes are available where financial investment is needed, including the TAMS 3 Farm Safety Capital Investment Scheme, the National Farm Safety Measure, and the Acceleration of Wear and Tear Allowances for Farm Safety Equipment Scheme.
Farm Safety Week, now in its 14th year, is led by the Irish Farmers' Association and supported by government.
The TAMS 3 scheme provides 60% grant aid for a range of safety-related investments, including livestock handling equipment, monitoring cameras, yard lighting and building rewiring.
The National Farm Safety Measure offers similar grant support toward the cost of PTO shaft covers, while the Wear and Tear Allowances scheme provides accelerated capital allowances on qualifying safety equipment such as cattle crushes, sliding doors and adaptive vehicle controls.
Further information on the schemes is available at www.gov.ie/farmsafety.
