HSENI supports Farm Safety Week 2020

The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) is supporting this year’s Farm Safety Week running from 20-24 July and organised by the leading farming charity The Farm Safety Foundation.

Covid-19 has had a significant impact on Northern Ireland, our businesses, our communities, our economy and also our agriculture sector. Farm safety, now more than ever, must remain a key priority on all Northern Irish farms, we cannot afford to have any more major incidents or deaths. HSENI would like to use Farm Safety Week to reinforce our key safety messages and to offer advice to the industry. We are also pleased to launch our new ‘Farm Safe Essentials’ message during Farm Safety Week.

The Farm Safe Essentials message aims to drill down into the key elements and key issues which are the main causes of major incidents and death on our farms. The first in a series of Farm Safe Essential messages is entitled ‘No Brakes, No Chance’. Tragically faulty brakes or not applying brakes properly have caused a number of fatal incidents over the years. HSENI is encouraging the farming community to inspect and maintain their vehicles brakes regularly.

Camilla Mackey, HSENI Principal Inspector, said: “All farm machinery presents many dangers if you do not keep them in a good condition, and while they allow farmers to work quicker and more efficiently, safety is critical when carrying out maintenance, particularly in relation to vehicle brakes.

“Where faults do arise, especially in relation to brakes and braking systems in vehicles, farmers must make sure the person that is carrying out the repairs is competent to do so.”

Further information on farm machinery brake maintenance can be found at:

• hseni.gov.uk/essentials

Notes to editors: 

1. For more information on the Farm Safety Partnership please contact HSENI on 0800 0320 121 or visit the FSP webpage: https://www.hseni.gov.uk/articles/farm-safety-partnership 

2. Farm Safety Week 2020 is supported by the Farm Safety Foundation, Farm Safety Partnerships, the Health and Safety Executive, the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland and the Health and Safety Authority, Ireland.

3. The Campaign aims to highlight the serious dangers posed by farms and offers themed practical advice and guidance for farmers. This year Farm Safety Week highlights our new ‘Farm Safe Essentials’  message.

4. The Farm Safety Partnership comprises the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI), the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), NFU Mutual (NFUM), the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster (YFCU), the Farm Safety Foundation, and the Northern Ireland Agricultural Producers Association (NIAPA). It is tasked with assisting Northern Ireland’s farming community to work safely and tackle the problem of work-related fatalities and injuries on farms.

5. The Farm Safety Partnership’s ongoing ‘Stop and Think SAFE’ farm safety campaign focuses on the four main causes of death and injury on our farms – slurry, animals, falls and equipment (SAFE).

6. For media enquiries please contact HSENI Press Office on 028 9024 3249 or email media@hseni.gov.uk. For out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer on 028 9037 8110.

7. HSENI is the lead body responsible for the promotion and enforcement of health and safety at work standards in Northern Ireland.

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