There has been a dramatic decline in the number of deaths on Irish farms, which has fallen to 10 so far this year from a high of 18 each year in the past two years.
The 44 per cent reduction over the year was announced yesterday by Teagasc's health and safety officer, John McNamara.
"The downward trend in farm deaths must be tempered by the knowledge that far too many tragic accidents occur on farms each year. In addition to the fatalities, an estimated 1,800 accidents, causing serious injury, suffering and disability, occur each year," he said.
Mr McNamara called for extra vigilance over the winter months. He pointed out that a quarter of all farm deaths take place in the months of January, February and March.
January is a high-risk month due to the increasing workload after the holiday period.
He said a joint initiative to cut accident levels on farms had been undertaken by Teagasc and the Health and Safety Authority, which highlighted key areas that needed special attention.
The five areas involved were:
• The safety of "senior" farmers, particularly when tractors and loaders are operating and reversing in farmyards.
• Ensuring that power shafts, particularly those used in stationary situations such as on slurry tankers and corn grinders, are completely covered to EU standards.
• Ensuring that slurry and water tanks and access manholes are securely covered.
• Gaining access to heights should only be attempted using secure means and by persons who are fit for this work.
Ladders should be tied or secured. Properly supported roofing ladders or crawler boards should be used if attempting to work on roofs.
• Hay or straw stacks should be secured to prevent them from collapsing.
Teagasc also released the findings of a national survey on the use of the farm safety code of practice, which was issued to all farmers last year.
The survey indicated that 42 per cent of farmers had completed the document.