Concern In Clare About Impact Age Profile Of Farmers On Health And Safety

Picture © Pat Flynn

The Clare Chair of the ICMSA is expressing concern that the age profile of farmers is behind the high number of fatalities in the workplace.

It comes as the Health and Safety Authority’s annual report for 2018 has revealed that agriculture accounted for over 40% of workplace fatalities in the country last year.

Clare FM’s Fiona McGarry reports:

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Figures released by the HSA has revealed that the number of deaths in the workplace has fallen significantly over the past 12 months.

Last year, 37 people died on the job, which is a 23% drop from the 2017 figure.

Of that number, though, 41% were in the farming sector proving once again that farming remains the most dangerous occupation in this country.

Clare Chair of the ICMSA Martin McMahon says it’s vital that the light is shone on the main issues to try to cut this figure.

The drop in fatalities and accidents overall, meanwhile, has been welcomed by the HSA, with focus now turning on getting the figures down even further.

CEO of the Health and Safety Authority Dr. Sharon McGuinness, says there’s still more work to be done.