SDLP Chair of the Enterprise Trade Investment Committee Patsy McGlone has welcomed the launch of the farm safety campaign by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland.
The Mid Ulster MLA was speaking following a recent briefing of the committee by representatives of the Health and Safety Executive.
Mr McGlone said: "Since the Farm Safety Partnership was launched in May by the Farm Safety Partnership of the Health and Safety Executive they have worked hard to develop the first Farm Safety Action Plan.
"The action plan will bring wider attention to the dangers those working in the farming community face every day.
"The tragic incidents of farm fatalities during this year have highlighted the dangers farmers face during their working day and the terrible consequences when things go wrong. Farming remains one of the most dangerous industries in which to work and every effort must be made to drive up health and safety standards on farms.
"The action plan proposes to achieve this by implementing 44 specific actions covering four key areas: the provision of information and the promotion of safe working; health and safety training; motivating good practice and discouraging poor practice; and the collection and analysis of information.
"A multimedia campaign is being developed for launch in May next year, aimed at raising awareness of farm safety, with an estimated cost of about £300,000.
"The farm safety visit initiative is already underway with the assistance of environmental health officers from the relevant district councils, and will target farming accident black spots around the country.
"The efforts of the HSE must be matched by the commitment of the farming community to implement best practice when engaging in any hazardous work.
"Over the last five years 96% of fatal accidents on farms had four main causes – slurry, animals, falls and equipment. By following best practice in these hazardous situations the risks can be minimised and accidents prevented."
(CD)
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Latest Construction News
25/11/2024
Northern Ireland-based construction company GRAHAM has been awarded Platinum accreditation by The 5% Club, which is their highest level of accolade. The 5% Club company, a benchmark of investment in future talent, awarded GRAHAM the Platinum membership for their unwavering commitment to empowering ...
25/11/2024
Building and civil engineering contractor Farrans, based in Dunmurry, Northern Ireland, has been selected as one of 19 businesses as preferred partners to SP Energy Networks' record £5.4bn supply chain contract programme. SP Energy Networks have selected the 19 companies to help them deliver the ...
25/11/2024
Energy provider ESB Networks has been working over the weekend to restore power to 60,000 homes predominantly in counties Donegal, Sligo, Mayo and Galway following the impact of Storm Bert. As of 5.10pm, 11,000 of ESB Network's customers remained without power, meaning 49,000 homes had saw their ...
25/11/2024
Alliance has rejected Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd's claims that NI Water's funding model is 'fit for purpose'. Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson, Andy McMurray, accused the Minister of "burying his head in the sand" over the funding issues and stated that the Minister rejected evidence ...
25/11/2024
Grass Pitch Refurbishment Projects in Sandyford, Dublin, have successfully been completed, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (DLR) has announced. Pitches at both Moreen Park and Páirc Uí Bhriain were the subject of upgrade and improvement works as part of an ongoing programme aimed at ...
25/11/2024
Northern Ireland construction company McLaughlin & Harvey placed runner-up for social impact at the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) End of Year Gala. The event, recently held at the Natural History Museum in London, recognises and celebrates outstanding company-wide performance among ...
25/11/2024
Expert water services crews are working to locate and repair a major pipe burst which is impacting water supply across Mid Kerry, Uisce Éireann has announced. The affected raw water pipe provides water to the Mid Kerry Gearha Water Treatment Plant supplying Listry, Beaufort, Killorglin and ...
25/11/2024
Uisce Éireann has temporarily shut down the Dunmanway Water Treatment Plant in Cork after it was impacted due to poor raw water quality from storm flooding. The turbidity of the incoming water for treatment remains high, resulting in the closure of the plant, and reservoirs in the area are now ...
25/11/2024
Irish Government has offered financial support to householders who have been impacted by Storm Bert. The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme provides income-tested financial support to those whose homes have been damaged from flooding and severe weather events and who cannot meet costs for essential ...
25/11/2024
A topographic and hydrographic survey will be carried out from today onwards by Murphy Geospatial Limited for the N17 Knock to Collooney [Atlantic Economic Corridor] Project. The project will consider the upgrade of the existing N17 from Knock in County Mayo to Collooney in County Sligo. The ...