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Farmers are seven times more likely to have a heart attack than any other profession, attendees at a farm safety event heard.
A leading cardiologist Dr Michael Conway was invited to attend the event to inform farmers on how they could better look after their health.
Dr Conway said: “Farmers need to look after their hearts the same way you would service your tractor, they both need some attention from time to time.”
He gave a short talk on the importance of keeping stress levels low and to avoid the obvious risks to health such as smoking. He believes “farmers more so than most other professions get very little down time, and if we start to experience fatigue we must know when to take a step back.”
Interactive
Tipperary North IFA chair, Imelda Walsh told the Irish Farmers Journal that “instead of throwing stats at people we have decided to make this a family fun day with many serious aspects being addressed in a fun way.”
The Farm Safety Experience, promoting family safety on farms, took place on the farm of Padraig Moran in Borrisokane, Co Tipperary on Wednesday 17 April.
Imelda believed it was “important to bring the urban and rural communities together when educating kids about farm safety".
Crowds gathered at the Moran’s suckler and sheep farm to learn more about farm health and safety by taking part in various workshops laid out across the farm.
Demonstrations
On display today were demonstrations from Height for Hire, Teagasc, Maxol, Moloneys Mobile Farm, and Agrikids.
Alma Jordan from Agrikids said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed visiting various primary schools to teach young children about the importance of farm safety. My demonstrations have been really well received by the kids.”
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