The HSENI has launched its 2022 ‘Avoid Harm on the Farm’ child farm safety calendar.
It said the calendar delivers “potentially lifesaving messages” to children in over 430 rural primary and special schools across Northern Ireland.
In June this year, HSENI invited rural primary school pupils (foundation, key stage 1 and key stage 2) and pupils from Special Schools in Northern Ireland to enter a poster competition highlighting common farm dangers.
Judges selected twelve winning hand-drawn pictures from over 2,750 entries.
Each ‘junior artist’ received a £30 gift card and have had their picture included in the 2022 calendar.
Child farm safety calendar competition winners:
- January: Joshua Armstrong, aged 9, Irvinestown PS, Enniskillen
- February: Niamh Higgins, aged 10, Mary Queen of Peace PS, Glenravel
- March: Michael McDonagh, aged 6, Lisnally Special School, Armagh
- April: Conor Seain Grimley, aged 7, St Mary’s PS, Tassagh
- May: Grace Quinn, aged 5, Millquarter PS, Moneyglass
- June: Ryan Morrow, aged 10, Moat PS, Lisnaskea
- July: Zoey Orr, aged 9, Bready Jubilee PS, Strabane
- August: Sam Millar, aged 6, Irvinestown PS, Enniskillen
- September: Isla Wilson, aged 6, Rasharkin PS, Rasharkin
- October: Nicole Scott, aged 15, Beechlawn School, Hillsborough
- November: Aoife Madden, aged 10, Millquarter PS, Moneyglass
- December: Ava McGowan, aged 12, St Patrick’s PS, Burrenreagh
69 work-related fatalities
Launching the calendar at Irvinestown Primary School, Enniskillen, HSENI Chief Executive Robert Kidd said:
“Farming continues to be one of the most dangerous occupations in Northern Ireland with 69 work-related fatalities in the ten years up to the end of last year.”
“Tragically, this includes three children under the age of 15.”
The safety watchdog will issue 43,000 copies of the calendar to rural primary schools and special schools for children to take home.
Robert Kidd continued: “Our calendar competition continues to be a great way to deliver safety messages in an engaging way to children that will help form their approach to farm safety now and in the future.
“This year, we had entries from 80 schools. I thank all the pupils, teachers, and our sponsors for helping us keep children safe on the farm.”
Farm Safety Partnership members and affiliates, Abbey Autoline, NFU Mutual, PowerNI, Ulster Farmers Union, Northern Ireland Safety Group, CAFRE, and LANTRA, sponsored the calendar.
