The campaign will focus on tractors and other farm vehicles and machinery, which HSA figures show are the main cause of serious and fatal accidents on Irish farms.

In the last 10 years, 20% of fatal farm accidents involved machinery, such as implements or harvesters, while 30% were caused by vehicles such as tractors or quads. Twelve deaths alone involved quads.

“All farmers should organise their work in a way that is efficient and safe," said Pat Griffin, senior inspector for agriculture and forestry safety at the HSA . "This means having rules in place in relation to who uses which vehicle or machine, establishing one-way systems, safe routes within fields and in and out of gates, care when reversing and who is in overall charge of the work."

Advice from the HSA to avoid accidents includes the following tips:

  • Are handbrakes or parking brakes working on all tractors and machinery?
  • Are cabs and doors maintained in working order?
  • Are tractor mirrors set and maintained correctly (not cracked or twisted)?
  • Has the driver ever received formal driver training for tractor or quad bike use?

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