16th July 2018
Minister Pat Breen, Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection whose areas of responsibility includes workplace health and safety has welcomed Farm Safety Week 2018 and the opportunity it presents to highlight the need for greater safety in farming.
Minister Breen pointed out that the theme of the week – “Your Health. Your Safety. Your Choice.” – is clear and unambiguous. The Minister said that “every farmer needs to take this message in its most literal sense and accept ownership for their own safety and that of others, including children, who are part of farming life”.
The Minister pledged that he and his Departmental officials will continue to work closely with the Health and Safety Authority and farming organisations such as the IFA, and indeed all farming representatives, to promote and encourage safer work practices on farms but the Minister stressed that ultimately positive changes in behaviour, practice and culture by individual farmers will be the greatest influencer in reducing accidents and fatalities.
The Minister also spoke about the importance of including a mental health element to the campaign theme. He said that “while farmers are used to caring for, and nurturing, their land and their animals they can also at the same time neglect their own health. As part of Farm Safety Week 2018 I am calling on all farmers to take a step back and to take better care of themselves both physically and mentally and to do so, not just for themselves, but also for the families and friends who depend on them”.
The Minister concluded by saying “I congratulate the IFA and all involved in Farm Safety Week. I commend the chosen message for the week and hope that it resonates with the farming communityitself. We all want a productive summer on Irish farms but we also want a safe one”.
Ends
The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI) plays a key role in implementing the Government’s policies of stimulating the productive capacity of the economy and creating an environment which supports job creation and maintenance. The Department also has a remit to promote fair competition in the marketplace, protect consumers and safeguard workers.
If you would like more information about this topic, please call DBEI Press Office at (01) 6312200, or email press.office@dbei.gov.ie.
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