The HSA aims to inspect 2,000 farms this year, as set out in its programme of work, published on Friday 23 February.

In addition, it is anticipated that a further 2,000 farmers will be reached through the health and safety element of Knowledge Transfer groups. Agriculture is second only to the construction sector in the number of inspections it will receive.

The news comes at the end of a fortnight-long campaign of 400 on-farm inspections which focused on safety issues with livestock.

“All workers, regardless of the sector, have the right to a safe and healthy workplace,” Minister of State with responsibility for the HSA Pat Breen said.

“This can be achieved by making sure that day-to-day knowledge of safety is high, particularly in the agriculture sector where we have seen unacceptable levels of death and injury. The HSA approach of combining inspections and enforcement with prevention and awareness-raising measures is one I fully support.”

The ‘HSA Programme of Work for 2018’ is available to download from www.hsa.ie.

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