Written answers

Tuesday, 30 May 2006

Department of Agriculture and Food

Health and Safety Regulations

8:00 pm

Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 468: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the measures she will take to enhance health and safety on farms; if she has ascertained the Health and Safety Authority's views in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20603/06]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is the State Agency responsible for the promotion and enforcement of workplace health and safety in Ireland. The Authority and Teagasc, with my support, have agreed to develop initiatives in support of farm safety including the development of the first Code of Practice for enterprises of three or less employees in farming and piloting of the Code by means of short training courses and on farm evaluations.

While the evaluation of the initiatives is still ongoing, initial results show that: 1400 farmers attended the courses in farm safety; 98% of the farmers that attended the course agreed that it was worthwhile and that the course should be made available to all farmers; 97% stated that the course would help them implement health and safety on their farms.

On farm evaluations are now taking place to assess the health and safety measures that farmers have adopted as a result of attending the courses. These evaluations are also being considered by the Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee of the Authority, on which my Department is represented. I look forward to the results of this training/on farm evaluation work as a positive contribution to health and safety on farms.

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