FTMTA news round-up

HSA report and FTMTA trade auction.

Contributor

23 August 2017

According to the HSA, based on the average of recent years, 35% of all fatal workplace accidents occur in agriculture, even though only 6% of the workforce is employed in farming.

HSA reportThe launch last week of the annual report of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) for 2016 puts into sharp focus the continuing poor record of safety in Irish agriculture. The sector experienced 21 fatalities from workplace accidents during the year, which was the highest number in any sector of the economy and is a disproportionately high number given the percentage of the overall workforce represented in agriculture.

HSA report

The launch last week of the annual report of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) for 2016 puts into sharp focus the continuing poor record of safety in Irish agriculture. The sector experienced 21 fatalities from workplace accidents during the year, which was the highest number in any sector of the economy and is a disproportionately high number given the percentage of the overall workforce represented in agriculture.

According to the HSA, based on the average of recent years, 35% of all fatal workplace accidents occur in agriculture, even though only 6% of the workforce is employed in farming. The unfortunate track record regarding workplace safety in agriculture has not improved this year with a significant number of tragic accidents already.

Many farming accidents involve machinery and tractors in some way and the FTMTA has always been vocal in relation to farm safety. Some practical steps can easily be taken to make the everyday use of farm machinery safer:

Clearly understand what all controls do and how to use them before you operate a tractor or any machine.

Make sure that the handbrake is working before you start any self-propelled machine.

Check that nobody around the machine is in danger before moving off.

Ensure that brakes and steering operate correctly.

Machinery should only be used for the purpose for which it was designed and in the fashion for which it was built.

FTMTA machinery auction

Interest in the FTMTA Farm Machinery Trade Auction to be held, in conjunction with Paul Cooke Auctions, at Punchestown Event Centre near Naas on Saturday, 30 September, is at very high levels. The FTMTA believes the auction will provide a valuable service to FTMTA members as another outlet for stock.

FTMTA chief executive Gary Ryan feels that the fact the auction will facilitate the sales of lots from FTMTA member firms exclusively makes the auction an attractive option for members of the association as well as attracting the interest of buyers. The auction is unreserved in nature, which will whet the appetite of potential buyers as they can bid at the auction secure in the knowledge that these lots have been consigned to the auction to be sold.

Many of the lots entered so far can be viewed at www.paulcookeauctions.com with more lots to be added prior to the auction. Member firms of the FTMTA can obtain further information by contacting the association’s offices at 045-409309 or at membership@ftmta.ie.