A new video, which focuses on approaches to safely manage on-farm construction and farm maintenance projects, has been produced by Teagasc health and safety specialist advisors in association with FBD Insurance and the Farm Safety Partnership advisory committee for the Health and Safety Authority.
The ‘Farm Construction and Work at Height’ video is part of the ‘Managing Farm Health and Safety’ series of 18 videos for the Health and Safety Authority, which outline best practice for farm health and safety topics.
Minister Martin Heydon, with special responsibility for farm safety at the Dept of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, launched the video at BEEF2024 – the Teagasc National Beef Open Day – on 26 June. He said the video highlights the hazards and provides practical tips and advice for farmers on managing safety during construction work and work at heights on the farm. “It also emphasises the importance of using competent skilled contractors who have appropriate training, equipment and methods to carry out the work safely,” he added.
Teagasc Director, Prof Frank O’Mara stated: “Teagasc strongly recognises the importance of farmers taking the time to plan work around farm construction and tasks that involves work at heights. This video will be an excellent resource to help farmers understand their responsibilities associated with management of safety during farm construction, or work at height. It will also be an excellent resource for Teagasc advisors and educators to help them highlight the importance of safety management to farmers during this work.”
Ciaran Roche, FBD Risk Manager commented: “On farm construction and work at height are high risk activities. Advanced planning is very important together with ensuring only trained, skilled and competent people with the correct equipment carry out the task.”
Martina Gormley, HSA’s Inspector for Farm Safety, encouraged all farmers to view and consider the video’s content in relation to their work practices, in light of HSA reports that 24 lives were lost on Irish farms over the last 10 years linked to falls from heights.
The video highlights the responsibility farmers must manage safety during farm construction and when working at a height, and also provides information on when farmers must legally appoint a Project Supervisor Design Process (PSDP) and Project Supervisor Construction Stage (PSCS).