New plan aimed at improving health, safety, wellbeing on farms launched in Limerick

A MAJOR new national initiative aimed at improving health, safety and wellbeing on farms was launched by Minister of State Niall Collins in Crecora. The project has a particular focus on social farming, farm open days and public events. Leitrim Development Company, West Limerick Resources and the Social Farming Ireland Network welcomed the minister of state for forestry, farm safety and horticulture to the farm of Noel Murphy in Crecora for the official launch of Health and Safety for Social Farming, Farm Open Days and Events. Speaking about farming’s poor safety record and the need to change farmers’ attitudes to risk taking, Mr Collins said: “We must avail of every opportunity to promote risk awareness, so farmers are no longer willing to take chances with their health and safety. “It is not acceptable for farmers to ignore safety in an effort to get work completed. While investing in facilities and equipment is important for making our farms safer, behavioural change is critical if farms are to become safe places to work and live”. Funded by the Department of Agriculture food and the Marine under the recent open call, the project consists of ten online health and safety training sessions from July to September, and six on-farm training sessions in August and September in Johnstown, Co Kildare, Rathcormac, Co Cork, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, Ballinlough, Co Roscommon, Athenry, Co Galway and Mountnugent, Co Cavan, followed by the launch of an innovative booklet ‘ How to have safe Open days and Events on Farms.’ Each training session will cover farm health and safety risks, practical risk-mitigation measures, and encourage open discussion on identifying and managing potential hazards associated with farm open days and events. The training is facilitated by Jim Dockery, of Towra Livestock Services, and informed by a steering committee whose members include a HSA representative, a female farmer, a male farmer, an advocate for disabled people, an advocate for mental health and a social farming participant. As there is currently no guidance in Ireland for health and safety for farm open days and events, the project will provide much needed resources for farmers, farming families and communities across Ireland.  The booklet will provide comprehensive guidance for social farmers on managing health and safety to protect disabled people, people with limited mobility, and other vulnerable groups, such as people with varied language capabilities visiting, living, or working on social farms. Mr Collins said social farming makes an important contribution to improving the health and wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable members of our community. “I am confident that this project will help social farmers protect the safety and health of everyone working, visiting and living on social farms across the country”. The minister of state praised the work being done by local development companies in facilitating social farming placements through the National Network Project, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. “Led by Leitrim Development Company and collaborating with West Limerick Resources, Waterford LEADER Partnership and South West Mayo Development Company, Social Farming Ireland is making a real difference to people’s physical and mental health and social connectivity. Having visited a number of social farms and social farming events, I am really impressed by the work and opportunities provided. Social farming offers people new outlets, fresh perspectives and activities which are essential for personal development and supporting mental health”. Brian Smyth, National Social Farming Network manager, stated that there are a lot of people now accessing social farms as participants, as visitors, on induction days, open days, peer learning and training events, farm walks and community events. He said the social farming network is conscious that their health safety and wellbeing are in the forefront of everyone involved and that this project will make sure that all steps are taken in this project to learn from this and to make the practices on farm safer for everyone. Jim Dockery, Towra Livestock Services, highlighted the importance of delivering practical training that farmers can relate to. ‘The real learning is done in the practical walk around the farm and attending training with other farmers. He added that the minister’s attendance at the launch of the Social Farming Ireland’s project demonstrates the importance which Minister Collins and the government places on supporting efforts to improve farm safety, health and wellbeing”. Places are free for all, but booking is essential. Farmers interested in general farm safety, and health and safety for open days and events are encouraged to register early. Register for the training on Eventbrite or call (071) 9641772 for booking assistance. See www.socialfarmingireland.ie for more information