The farm is still one of the most dangerous workplaces in the State, with half of all deaths on farms caused by machinery accidents, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) said yesterday.
Pat Griffin, a senior inspector for agriculture with the HSA, said the situation could not be allowed to continue, and with more effort the key risks could be significantly reduced.
About 400 inspections are being carried out across the State this week as part of Farm Safety Week to reduce the numbers of deaths in the sector.
HSA statistics show that 42 per cent of deaths involve tractors overturning or going out of control, while 9 per cent involve entanglements.
In 2004, there were 14 deaths on farms in the State, with seven involving people over 65. Mr Griffin said there was a worrying growth in fatalities among the elderly, with four out of the five farm-related deaths so far this year involving people over 65.
"We need to ensure that machinery is in proper working order, is operated safely and that due care and attention is paid when driving on the farm and in the yard."
Mr Griffin said the 400 inspections taking place this week would cover safety for the elderly, completion of a farm safety self-assessment form, tractor maintenance and machine guarding.