Figures released today show that a total of 18 deaths occurred on Irish farms in 2003, an
increase of five on the figure for 2002.
Frank Laffey, Teagasc National Farm Safety Specialist and Chairman of the Farm Safety Partnership Group, said the figures "signify the continuing tragedy of death and injury on Irish farms."
He said the causes of death in 2003 show the same pattern as in previous years.
Tractors and machines are the biggest contributor followed by falls, animals and slurry drowning, he said. He urged farmers to complete the Farm Safety Self Assessment Document sent recently to
them by the Health and Safety Authority.
He said: "This document is in the form of a checklist and helps you to identify the key controls that that are missing your farm. Use the Christmas and New Year period to get the document out of the drawer and complete it without delay."