Stop and Think SAFE

The 'Stop and Think SAFE' farm safety campaign aims to tackle the four main causes of fatalities on local farms - Slurry, Animals, Falls (from height) and Equipment - SAFE

'Stop and Think SAFE' farm safety campaign

The 'Stop and Think SAFE' campaign was developed by the Farm Safety Partnership to help tackle the high rates of serious accidents and deaths on Northern Ireland's farms.

'SAFE'

'SAFE' reflects the four main causes of fatal accidents on local farms:

• slurry
• animals
• falls (from height)
• equipment

Powerful messages

The first phase of the Stop and Think SAFE multi-media advertising campaign was launched in March 2013.

In the first-of-its kind campaign for Northern Ireland, the television, radio and press advertisements were specifically designed to resonate with farmers, their families and friends - all who could be at risk from the high risk dangers which farm working involves.

The first phase of the campaign included a powerful TV advert focusing on the dangers around working at height.

The second phase of the campaign was launched on 11 March 2015 and focused on the need for good all-around vehicle visibility when working on the farm.

The third phase of the campaign was launched on 10 May 2017 and aimed to raise awareness of the need to plan an escape route when working with animals, and always to Stop and Think SAFE. 

Stop and Think SAFE TV adverts on YouTube

You can view our farm safety TV adverts on HSENI's YouTube channel. 

This TV advert was launched by the Farm Safety Partnership at the Balmoral Show in May 2017.‎ It aims to raise awareness of the need to plan an escape route when working with animals, and always to Stop and Think SAFE:

• TV advert launched May 2017 (Animals) - YouTube

This TV advert was launched by the Farm Safety Partnership in March 2015 to promote safety around farm vehicle visibility: 

• TV advert launched March 2015 (Equipment) - YouTube

​This TV advert was launched by the Farm Safety Partnership in March 2013 to raise awareness about the dangers of working at height: 

• TV advert launched March 2013 (Falls) - YouTube

Stop and Think SAFE radio adverts

A series of radio adverts have also been developed as part of the campaign. The adverts cover the following important safety issues on the farm: 

• slurry
• animals
• falls (from height)
• equipment
• PTO guarding
• child farm safety 
• summer child farm safety

You can listen to these adverts at the following page:

• Stop and Think SAFE radio adverts

Stop and Think SAFE information leaflets

• Slurry - working safely with slurry
• Slurry gas - mixing slurry safely
• Animals - safe handling of livestock on farms
• Falls - preventing falls from height
• Equipment - PTO guard safety
• Equipment - safe handling of farm equipment and vehicles
• Employing Agriculture Contractors
• Workshop Safety
• Safety around calving time
• Farm Safety checklist

Stop and Think SAFE press adverts

As part of the Stop and Think SAFE campaign, a range of press adverts are available which highlight some of the main dangers on local farms, including:

• slurry
• animals
• falls (from height)
• equipment
• vehicles

You can view or download these press adverts from the followng page.

• Stop and Think SAFE press adverts

Farming gets riskier with age

This media campaign is aimed at helping to keep older farmers safer in the workplace by asking them to consider their limitations before undertaking jobs on the farm.

Between January 2002 and December 2021, there have been 127 farm deaths in Northern Ireland. Tragically, 67 of these incidents concerned farmers aged 65 or older. The majority of incidents involved animals, typically bulls or newly calved cows.

While each person is different, as people get older their reactions tend to slow down, strength reduces and hearing and sight can diminish, making it harder to pick up warning signs prior to an incident occurring.

Considering the challenging conditions and environment farmers, particularly older farmers work in night and day, HSENI would ask them to assess the jobs they are doing, know their limitations, and consider asking for help. Older farmers need to consider their abilities as well as their experience, and be realistic about what they can do.

HSENI would ask older farmers to continue to lead by example, and when assessing jobs around the farm, take a moment to stop and think “SAFE”, consider asking for help, especially for those trickier jobs.

To listen to the radio ad please follow the link below:

• Farming gets riskier with age - radio ad with transcript

Resources

• Farm safety action plan April 2020 - March 2023
• Farm safety action plan April 2017 - March 2020
• Farm safety action plan April 2014 - March 2017
• Farm safety action plan November 2012 - March 2014
• Farmwise - your essential guide to health and safety in agriculture HSE (GB) edition
• Emergency contact numbers for the farming community