The revised version of the “Code of Practice for Preventing Injury and Occupational Ill-Health in Agriculture” was launched on Thursday and comes into effect from Saturday 1 July. While similar to the 2006 code, the new version comprises just two documents; a general guidance document and a working risk assessment document. It also performs the same function as the original code which many farmers are familiar with.
The revised version of the “Code of Practice for Preventing Injury and Occupational Ill-Health in Agriculture” was launched on Thursday and comes into effect from Saturday 1 July.
While similar to the 2006 code, the new version comprises just two documents; a general guidance document and a working risk assessment document. It also performs the same function as the original code which many farmers are familiar with.
The HSA says the new version “has been developed to reflect technical progress in the sector, changes in farming practice, equipment and accident trends”.
One of the biggest changes to the 2017 version is the inclusion of specific sections for slurry handling and harvesting.
There are updated references to legislation and guidance, updated imagery and a section on how to understand and use new chemical symbols. There are also new recommendations and approaches to farm building maintenance.
These are to reflect specific dangers on the farms.
Farming continues to be the most dangerous occupation in Ireland, with machinery accounting for over 60% of all farm deaths last year.
Just this week alone, a farmer in Co Clare died following a farm accident involving slurry machinery.
Cornerstone
HSA chief executive Martin O’Halloran said the code of practice is a key aspect of farm safety.
“The farm safety code of practice is the cornerstone of farm safety, health and wellbeing so when we set out to revise it we wanted to make it more reflective of modern farming. We also wanted to make it easier for farmers to use. The revised code focuses in on the most common hazards and provides workable solutions that can be put in place with minimal to zero cost.”
The new code of practice can be found on www.hsa.ie
Read more
HSA cuts 2017 farm safety budget by 25%
Farmer writes: when health and safety is more than the body
Farm safety: ‘I could not hear as my ears were full of slurry’
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: