Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 156: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps which are being taken to address the serious problems of death and injuries through farm accidents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26457/05]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 159: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will report on progress in promoting and implementing the approach outlined in the farm safety action plan 2003-2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26473/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 159 together.

I am very concerned about the level of safety on our farms and I support wholeheartedly the work of the Health and Safety Authority which is the State authority charged with overall responsibility for promotion of workplace health and safety. The authority has a proactive inspection and enforcement programme which focuses on high risk sectors, including agriculture, and aims to achieve an improvement in farm safety, and an increase in the percentage of farms with safety statements.

My Department is a member of the Farm Safety Partnership Committee which is an advisory committee to the HSA. The committee is made up of key players in the farming sector including the Department of Agriculture and Food, Health and Safety Authority, Teagasc, IFA, ICMSA, Macra na Feirme, Farm Relief Network, FBD Insurance, Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association and Professional Agricultural Contractors of Ireland. An important element of the HSA programme is the implementation of the farm safety plan 2003-07 which sets targets for the reduction of farm accidents for the period. The plan also provides for on-farm inspections, health and safety training for farmers and promotional campaigns highlighting health and safety issues.

Some of the main activities aimed at addressing health and safety problems at farm level are as follows:

Farm Safety Action Week.

The event is co-ordinated annually by the Health and Safety Authority. My Department is also an active participant. The aim of the week is to promote best safety practice and reduce the number of workplace accidents on Irish farms.

Farm Safety Self-Assessment Document.

Farmers are obliged to complete a safety statement for their farm. The HSA farm safety self-assessment document is designed so that it can be completed by the farmer. It identifies the key hazards on the farm and the key controls for these hazards.

Farm Safety Video.

The Farm Safety Partnership Committee is at an advanced stage of finalising a farm safety video which will be made available to all stakeholders.

Finally, the farm waste management scheme operated by my Department provides grant aid for investment in facilities that increase on-farm safety. A revised farm waste management scheme with significantly increased grant rates and broadened farmer eligibility is currently with the EU Commission for approval with the plan of introducing the revised scheme from 1 January 2006. Farm building specifications are also continuously under review by my Department and revisions regularly incorporate enhanced safety specifications.