Focus on farm safety at Balmoral Show

HSENI staff will be on hand to offer one-to-one advice, on-site demonstrations and answer questions from members of the farming community about safety on the farm.

The issue of safe working with farm machinery will be covered extensively through demonstrations on PTO guarding, quad bike safety and the importance of visibility on moving vehicles.

The new Farm Safety Partnership’s ‘Stop and Think SAFE’ campaign will also be showcased as it addresses the four main causes of death and injury on our farms - slurry, animals, falls (from height) and equipment (SAFE).

Malcolm Downey, who heads up the Farm Safety Team at HSENI, said:

“Regrettably, despite warnings and advice, too many farmers are still taking unnecessary risks with their lives, and, in many cases, the future well-being of their families.

“So, the Balmoral Show presents HSENI with an opportunity to provide farmers with a timely reminder to make safety an even greater priority during one of their busiest periods of the year.

“Recent HSENI figures reveal that more than two thirds of all farming accidents over the last five years have taken place from May to September.

“Considering the intensity of the work involved and the tough deadlines farmers are trying to meet, it’s no surprise that the majority of work-related, fatal incidents occur during these busy months.”

The Farm Safety Partnership launched a new farm safety campaign in March under with the banner of ‘Stop and Think SAFE’.

Focusing on the four main causes of death and injury on our farms – slurry, animals, falls and equipment (SAFE) - the campaign features television, radio and press advertisements specifically designed to help reduce the number of deaths and injuries on our farms.

To find out more about the ‘Stop and Think SAFE’ campaign, or general farming health and safety issues in Northern Ireland, please contact the HSENI helpline on 0800 0320 121 or visit: www.hseni.gov.uk/farmsafe

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Off the M1, close to Lisburn. HSENI will be at Stand A19, along Balmoral Way.

Focusing on the four main causes of death and injury on our farms – slurry, animals, falls and equipment (SAFE) - the campaign features television, radio and press advertisements specifically designed to help reduce the number of deaths and injuries on our farms.

To find out more about the ‘Stop and Think SAFE’ campaign, or general farming health and safety issues in Northern Ireland, please contact the HSENI helpline on 0800 0320 121 or visit: www.hseni.gov.uk/farmsafe

This year’s Balmoral Show runs from 15 May to 17 May at Balmoral Park, situated at Maze Long Kesh - off the M1, close to Lisburn. HSENI will be at Stand A19, along Balmoral Way. And just a wee bit extra to copyfit.