Ireland's Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has begun a four-week nationwide inspection campaign on working at height on farms, starting on 5 October, Agriland reports. Of the 177 deaths on Irish farms in the ten years from 2016 to 2025, 21 were caused by falls from height.
"A fall from a height can be catastrophic, leading to serious life changing injuries or even death," said Gerard Hartnett, a senior HSA inspector. All work at height must be risk-assessed in advance, he said, adding that the "quick job" often catches people out.
The main hazards, according to the HSA, are falls from ladders, from unprotected edges of roofs and other structures, through fragile roof materials, and from stacked bales. Before going onto a roof, farmers should check whether it is fragile or can take a person's weight, paying particular attention to sections that could break, shatter or give way.
Bales should be taken down from stacks with suitable handling equipment operated by a competent person rather than by climbing on top, and children must not be allowed to play on stacked bales. Inspectors will advise farmers to plan a safe system of work and use measures such as a mobile elevated work platform, working platforms or edge protection.
The inspectors will also highlight the HSA's guidance on making construction appointments on farms, since maintenance of a structure counts as construction work in law and appointments must be made before such work starts. Hartnett warned that storms and changing weather make repairs to farm buildings more hazardous, and advised farmers to hire a competent contractor with the right equipment where needed.
Photo: Bill Boaden / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Source: Agriland
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