Hibernian Aviva, Ireland’s largest insurer, published claims data, which revealed some major challenges to farm safety in Ireland. According to the claims data, there is a failure among farmers to realise the danger of working with animals as nearly one third of all farm accidents are caused by livestock. A further 25% of farm accidents are caused by motor accidents involving farm machinery and 5% of farm incidents result from someone falling from a height as a result of a slip or fall on the farm.
Regionally, Kilkenny shows the highest incidence of farm accidents followed by Louth, Cork, Dublin and Waterford. The claims data also reveals that farm accidents are most likely to occur on a Friday and the incidence of farm accidents involving injuries is much higher during the spring and summer than the autumn and winter months.
The Health and Safety Authority also recently published research revealing over a third of all work-related deaths occurred in the agricultural sector last year. A total of 21 work-related deaths took place in the farming sector in 2008 – double the 11 deaths that took place in 2007. Three of these 21 fatal accidents involved children.
Commenting on the claims data, Michael Brennan of Hibernian Aviva said: “The claims data highlights the most common dangers facing Ireland’s farmers. At Hibernian Aviva we recognise that farm work is difficult work and we support Ireland’s farmers in making their farm a safer place and hope that future claims data will reveal a reduced number of injuries on Ireland’s farms”.
To help protect the safety of Ireland’s farmers and encourage them to always put safety first, Hibernian Aviva has launched a Safety First campaign. The campaign is centred on Hibernian Aviva’s brand promise of ‘Looking Out For You’ and includes the publication of a Farm Safety Guide (available at www.hibernianaviva.ie) and a series of farm safety events at selected Hibernian Aviva branches nationwide.
Some of the key safety tips included in the Hibernian Aviva Farm Safety Guide include:
- Regularly check secure fencing around the holding fields of farm animals.
- Check all machinery and equipment on a daily basis to make sure that it is in safe working order.
- Take extra caution when working at height to avoid slipping or falling.
- Make sure all emergency phone numbers are in full view at the phone in the event of an accident taking place on the farm.
Speaking about the new Hibernian Aviva Safety First campaign, Michael Brennan of Hibernian Aviva said: “Our Safety First farm safety events and our new Farm Safety Guide aim to support farmers by helping them to identify and address potential risks”.
“We also incentivise farmers to make their farm a safe farm by offering a ‘Safe Farm’ discount of up to 15% off farm insurance premiums if farm owners employ safe working practices on their farm”.
We hope that by linking safe farming to significant reductions in insurance premiums we will incentivise farm owners to make their farm a safe farm”, continued Michael Brennan. The Hibernian Aviva Farm Safety Guide is available at www.hibernianaviva.ie or from any one of Hibernian Aviva’s 27 branches located throughout the country.
